Sunday, December 22, 2024

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City

Prediction: Correct Score 1-1

Odds: 11/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

Tottenham Hotspur host Leicester City in their final Premier League match of the season at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men head into the game buoyant after securing Champions League football for next season with the mid-week victory over Newcastle United. Meanwhile, Leicester City will be aiming to end the season with a positive after securing a memorable 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

Tottenham Hotspur

Whilst Tottenham have not reached the heights of prior seasons during the current campaign, they have still done excellently to guarantee themselves a top-four finish. As a matter of fact, they could make sure of their place in the group stages with at least a draw against the Foxes this weekend. They have been on the slide in recent weeks, however. Their tight victory over Newcastle in mid-week was only their second in their last six attempts in all competitions.

The Londoners have been almost impenetrable at home though, making Leicester’s task even greater. Only one side have managed to find the net in the last six games at the national stadium against Spurs in the Premier League, and that was champions and record goalscorers, Manchester City. In fact, that was only Tottenham’s second league defeat at Wembley this season. The other defeat came right at the beginning of the season against then-champions Chelsea. Despite that, they can only boast the fifth best home record in the entirety of the Premier League.

Team News

Pochettino could well select defender Kieran Trippier for the visit of Leicester despite being withdrawn in mid-week. Victor Wanyama, Serge Aurier and Mousa Dembele could all be subjected to late fitness tests. Whereas, Eric Dier is a slight doubt through illness. Finally, Harry Winks is restricted to the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Leicester City

Leicester City earned their first Premier League victory in six attempts last time out as they swept aside ten-man Arsenal 3-1 at the King Power Stadium. Whilst an excellent win, it somewhat papers over the cracks under Claude Puel. The Foxes have only won five out of their last 20 games in the Premier League. Having said that, they do have the opportunity to notch back-to-back Premier League wins this weekend, something they have only managed to do once since mid-December.

If they are to get a result against Tottenham, the Foxes will have to rectify their poor defensive record. In their last 14 away Premier League games, Puel’s men have only kept two clean sheets. If their last result away from home is anything to go by, it could be a painful afternoon. Taking on Crystal Palace, Leicester were thumped 5-0 at Selhurst Park.

Team News

Puel has a lengthy injury list to contend with for the trip to Wembley. The central midfield position looks the most vulnerable with the likes of Matty James, Wilfried N’didi and Daniel Amartey all ruled out. The Foxes also have defensive problems too. Robert Huth and Ben Chilwell are both restricted to the sidelines, whilst Danny Simpson and Aleksandar Dragović will have late fitness tests. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will also be monitored with an ankle injury. Elsewhere, Shinji Okazaki is definitely out with a similar knock and Marc Albrighton is suspended.

Key Facts To Consider

  • Tottenham boast the considerably better record between the two teams (W53, D21, L35)
  • Leicester won the last clash between the two this season 2-1 at the King Power Stadium
  • Tottenham have scored 26 goals in their last 12 games against Leicester
  • Harry Kane has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 10 games against Leicester (11 goals, two assists)
  • The Foxes have only lost three out of their last 12 games away to Tottenham

Conclusion

With not all too much to play for this weekend for either side, it is difficult to predict how this one. The World Cup is also on the horizon so injuries could play on the mind of some players. Harry Kane is bound to find the net though against his former club, and Jamie Vardy is also in good form, too, so there could be goals. Both sides are likely to score and it could well be a stalemate for Tottenham’s final game at Wembley.

Prediction: Correct Score 1-1

Odds: 11/1

Bookmaker: Bet365

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Orme


Daniel is a football journalism graduate from the University of Derby. He has been freelance writing for approximately six years now and brings considerable experience. A season ticket holder at local club Leicester City, he witnessed the Foxes miraculously lifting the Premier League trophy in the 2015/16 campaign.

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