Prediction: Tottenham vs Leicester

Verdict: Tottenham

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: William Hill

Premier League title chasers Tottenham Hotspur go head to head with reigning champions Leicester City, who have experienced all sorts of problems at the beginning of their title defence. The Saturday’s match-up is more than a mere reunion on the two greatest surprises of the 2015-16 season and should be a highly-contested affair between two sides who have a lot to prove to each other.

Tottenham

Spurs have endured a couple of difficult weeks which saw them draw three consecutive matches domestically and internationally. The poor patch of results ended with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the EFL Cup during the week, but the loss will have hardly had any influence to Tottenham’s morale ahead of the highly anticipated clash with the champions. Mauricio Pochettino’s team have become renowned for their free-flowing attacking style but their recognisable play was not on display over the last couple of games. It has become unusual for Spurs to go two games in a row without scoring, which is why back-to-back goalless stalemates against Bayern Leverkusen and Bournemouth ended up raising a plenty of eyebrows. Tottenham lack the cutting edge in attack and the absence of clinical striker Harry Kane is slowly becoming more and more apparent. Spurs will have to overcome their poor form in front of goal against Leicester however, who haven’t been particularly impressive in defence lately.

Team News

Harry Kane’s ankle injury is still keeping him on the sidelines and his absence could once again cause plenty of problems for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Key centre-back Toby Alderweireld is hoping to be fit in time for a comeback from his knee problem, while Moussa Sissoko is serving a suspension and is unavailable until the beginning of November.

Leicester City

It has been a fairly difficult season for reigning Premier League champions Leicester City so far. Claudio Ranieri’s men are struggling in the Premier League, having lost four of their nine opening rounds which is more than what they lost during the entire course of their title-winning season. The Foxes have failed to win any of their away matches so far and that is another important aspect of their troublesome start to title defence. Following a highly successful season up front, England international striker Jamie Vardy is struggling to gain his footing as he failed to score in the league since September and that is something Vardy will be looking to change if he gets a chance to play at Tottenham on Saturday. Foxes have been far from impressive on the other side on the pitch as well, since their defence continue to suffer terribly. Leicester City have allowed 15 goals so far and this is something Claudio Ranieri will need to work on. Contrary to their poor league form, Leicester have been exceptional in Europe, winning all three of their Champions League group stage matches. Their latest CL win over FC Copenhagen might be a timely incentive to spark a positive come-back for the Foxes who went on to win 3-1 against Crustal Palace last time out. Leicester will be keen to extend the run which saw them lose only one of their last five matches across competitions.

Team News

Shinji Okazaki impressed against Crystal Palace last week and could hope for another starting berth at Tottenham at the expense of misfiring star Jamie Vardy.

Ben Chiwell, Matthew James and Nampalys Mendy are still nursing their respective injuries and will be out of contention, while Yohan Benalouane is lacking match fitness. Andy King is hoping to shake off his problems in time for the Saturday’s match.

Key Aspects to Consider

• Leicester are yet to register an away win this season
• Jamie Vardy failed to score for the Foxes since 10 September
• Tottenham are on a 4-match winless run in all competitions
• Foxes won only one of their last five matches versus Tottenham
• Spurs scored only 2 goals in their last four games

Conclusion

The Premier League champions travel to London to face their title rivals from last season in an effort to put an end to their terrible away form. At the same time, Spurs are looking to get back to winning ways following a four-match winless streak and grab three points that would keep them in the running for the top of the Premier League table.

Verdict: Tottenham

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: William Hill