Leicester City host West Bromwich Albion this weekend as they look to climb the table after a decent start to life in the Premier League. The Foxes enjoyed a decent start to the season despite the rough opposition, but the newly promoted side are now facing their first patch of bad form this term with no wins to speak of in four games – leaving Leicester in 17th place. West Brom are in a somewhat similar boat to Leicester. The Baggies have impressed at times this season but still only sit one point and four places higher than their opponents this weekend meaning this game has added spice as a win could really catapult either side up the table.
Team News
Leicester CityÂ
Neither side is struggling injury wise with both sides harbouring just two injuries each. Goalkeeper Ben Hamer is missing for Leicester with a wrist injury whilst centre-back Matt Upson is still out with a troublesome ankle knock.
West Brom
West Brom are still troubled by the continued absence of key defender Jonas Olsson who has a calf injury whilst Silvestre Varela is another long term absentee with a groin injury sustained earlier in the season. Other than the four injuries stated here it’s full strength sides for the two teams.
Interesting Facts
– 63% of Leicester’s goals have gone to the keepers bottom left.
– 53% of Leicester’s goals conceded have gone down the centre of the goal – a perplexing figure.
– Leicester create about 7 chances per game on average.
– West Brom have bagged 7 set piece goals already this season – 3 penalties and 4 corners.
– West Brom create around 9 chances per game on average but their low shot accuracy of 29% is poor.
Key Men
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy has earned many plaudits for his tireless work ethic and ability on the ball this season – most notably against Manchester United when the winger was Man of the Match in a 5-3 Leicester victory. Vardy only has one goal to his name this season, against United, but he’s a consistent performer for Leicester and a danger to the opposition with a higher than average 67% shooting accuracy.
Vardy is one of Leicester’s best creative sparks with the winger creating eight chances for his teammates so far this season – averaging out at 1.8 per 90 minutes played. Vardy’s hard working nature is evident through his defensive stats with the attacker completing four interceptions and one clearance already this season – his interceptions whilst pressing being one of his main strengths. Offensively, Vardy has completed 61% of his attempted take-ons this season which is a strong figure – especially for someone who is new to the Premier League.
Saido Berahino
Saido Berahino has been one of the standout attackers in the Premier League this season. The young Englishman has earned rave reviews for his goals, hard work and immense composure. Berahino hit the Premier League last season and has gone onto a new level this term with seven goals scored in just nine appearances so far. So lethal is Berahino that only Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa can boast about outscoring him. Rather generously, you can back Berahino to score this weekend at 3/1 with TailorBet – an opportunity you should not waste!
One of the most impressive aspects of Berahino’s game is his precision with the ball at his feet. The West Brom frontman has completed a whopping 88% of his passes so far this season which is an incredible figure for a striker who, obviously, mostly operates in the final, tighter third of the field. His eye for precision doesn’t end there though. Berahino’s shooting accuracy is also excellent with his figure coming in at 62% – a very good percentage for a striker who is expected to shoot numerous times per match. The youngster is also spritely and hard working off the ball and this shows in his interceptions with the forward completing five already this season.
Prediction
My prediction for this game is going to be a 2-1 win for the away side. I think West Brom will have too much for Leicester – especially with a couple of Leicester’s players out of form at the moment. I also think Berahino will score too.
