Leicester will play host to Watford for only the second time in Premier League history on Saturday afternoon. The Foxes and the Hornets have not faced each other in the Premier League in well over a decade. Claudio Ranieri’s side head into the game as arguably the most exciting team to watch in the league right now. Even with a change of manager over the summer it appears that Leicester have been able to hold onto the epic form they had at the tail end of last season to survive and carried into the new season with aspiration of much bigger glory. Watford have had a steady start to life back in the Premier League.
The Hornets sit in a respectable 11th spot in the league having not conceded and picked up 3 points in their last two fixtures. It should make for exciting viewing on Saturday as both sides have their tails up at the minute, albeit that Leicester’s tail is much further up than Watford’s.
Team News
The home side have very little to worry about in terms of injuries. The continuity in the starting 11 will be what is playing a major part in Leicester City’s great start to the season. Summer signing Christian Fuchs could recover from his injury in time for the weekend. However, long term absentee Matty James is still another 3 months away from being able to attempt a return to this rampant Leicester starting 11.
The biggest hope for Watford fans will be that in form striker Odion Ighalo will be fit for the visit to Leicester this weekend. The striker is reported as being 2 days away from a return and if that is the case it is hard to imagine Flores wouldn’t have him on the pitch given the contribution eh has already made to Watford’s good start to the season. Summer signing Jurado may also find himself in the match day squad for the away game, but considering the length of his absence it would be likely to assume he wouldn’t play much part in the match other than an appearance from the bench. Meanwhile, defender Joel Ekstrand is still set for another 8 weeks on the sidelines.
Statistics
- The last time they faced each other in the Premier League was in February 2000. The game ended 1-1 at Vicarage road.
- Leicester won their last home Premier League meeting with Watford in August 1999 1-0.
- Those are the only two previous Premier League matches between the side. They faced each other regularly in the Championship between now and then.
- Leicester City have only lost to Watford 4 times at at home in their history.
- The last time they lost a home game against Watford was in April 2013.
- Leicester City haven’t won any of their last 5 meetings against Watford.
- The last time Leicester beat Watford was in October 2011.
- The first time the two ever met was in October 1969. Leicester ran out 3-1 winners at home.
Comparisons
Top Scorers
Leicester City: Jamie Vardy (11), Riyad Mahrez (7), Jeffrey Schlupp (1)
Watford: Odion Ighalo (7), Miguel Layun (1), Troy Deeney (1)
Chances Created
Leicester City: Riyad Mahrez (23), Marc Albrighton (21), Danny Drinkwater (18)
Watford: Almen Abdi (19), Troy Deeney (15), Odion Ighalo (13)
Avg. Defensive Actions
Leicester City: Danny Simpson (12), Robert Huth (11), Richie De Laet (9)
Watford: Craig Cathcart (8), Sebastian Prodl (8), Miguel Britos (8)
Key Players
Leicester City: Jamie Vardy
You know you are having a good season when you are being linked with a move to Real Madrid. When you are Jamie Vardy and you are being linked with a move to Real Madrid… you know you are having a really good season. The England international has netted 11 goals so far this season placing him firmly at the head of the goal scoring charts. Last week he broke a record, becoming only the third player in Premier League history to score in 8 consecutive league games. With that he has placed himself in the same company as Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Daniel Sturridge, esteemed company to be in. There is going to be a week where he doesn’t score, and knowing my luck it will be this week when I’ve written about him, but that won’t take away from the fact that he is now the poster boy for this Leicester City revolution, all their good form and exceeding of expectations will forever be closely associated with Jamie Vardy and right now it is hard to see him not influencing each game he plays in a massive way.
Watford: Heurelho Gomes
A big part of the reason why Watford are currently occupying 11th spot is Ighalo’s goal scoring exploits and their sturdy defence. At the base of that defence is former Spurs keeper Gomes. The Brazilian has kept 5 clean sheets so far this season in 11 appearances. That is no joke for a newly promoted side. Since his Watford side are facing a Leicester side that love to score he will need to be on top form. A lot of what Leicester does relies on ‘even if you score we will score more’ and should Gomes be able to put in a top display on Saturday he could just about frustrate the home side into dropping points to Watford. It is a big ask considering the form of players like Mahrez and, of course, Jamie Vardy but a lot of Watford’s hopes on Saturday may be pinned on their defence and as a result their first choice stopper Gomes.
Betting Tips
Leicester to win is at 23/20 with Betfair
Watford to win is at 19/5 with BetVictor
The draw is at 29/10 with BetVictor
Prediction
Given the form of Real Madrid target Jamie Vardy, and the club in general, it is hard to see past a Leicester win at the weekend
3-1 Leicester City win