Leicester City are on a fantastic run. The Foxes have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions since their loss to Manchester United. Their only loss in that run came at Anfield when they lost on a 95th minute penalty. This run has elevated them to third in the table. Not only are they in the Champions League spot, they have created a buffer. They are six points ahead of their opponents, Arsenal, who sit in fifth place.
Arsenal are moving in the opposite direction. They have won one of their last five matches in the Premier League. This stretch has taken them out of the top four and may drag them out of the race entirely. A loss here could see them drop nine points adrift of the top four. The Gunners cannot allow that to happen if they are to achieve their goal of Champions League football.
Team News
Part of Leicester’s strong run has been great health. That looks like it will continue going into this match. Matthew James is the only injury concern, according to PremierInjuries.com.
Dani Ceballos is the only injured Gunner, according to PremierInjuries.com. He is a doubt with a thigh injury he picked up against Vitoria Guimaraes. Granit Xhaka’s status is unknown, after being left out of the last three match day squads.
Key Players
Leicester City: James Maddison
Maddison’s incisive passing and set pieces will be crucial to Leicester’s success. The Foxes opened the scoring on Sunday from a corner delivered by Maddison. Leicester do not have an abundance of that quality. They’ll need the Englishman to be on his game to break down Arsenal’s deep block.
Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang is Arsenal’s only consistent source of goals. He has scored half of their Premier League goals and is the main reason the Gunners are in the top four race at all. It is unlikely that they will keep a clean sheet against Leicester, so they’ll need some goals. Aubameyang is the most likely source of those goals.
Prediction
Arsenal may be the bigger name, but Leicester should be the favourites for this match. The Foxes are higher in the table for a reason. They’ve been a much better team than the Gunners this season and are at home.
Prediction: 2-1 Leicester City
