Premier League: Rampant Reds Take Aim at the Foxes in Their Top Four Push

Leicester City vs Liverpool

The clock is ticking for Leicester City and Liverpool to achieve their main objectives with only a handful of Premier League matches this campaign.

For the hosts, Leicester City, a win would catapult them out of the relegation mire. As of this writing, they’re in 18th place with 30 points, level with 19^th-placed Leeds United.

As for the visitors, Liverpool, they will move into the Champions League spots if they win this game and if Manchester United can’t stop their rot against Wolves. They’re trailing by one point behind the Red Devils, who have a game in hand.

So, when these two meet on Monday at King Power Stadium, there’s a huge sense of urgency to win this game since it’ll give them much-needed points across the board.

Talking Points

Is Iheanacho fit to play for Leicester City?

When Kelechi Iheanacho limped off the field against Leeds United, there was a huge possibility that it was his last game this 2022-23 season. However, he has responded well to treatment for his groin injury, and manager Dean Smith said that he could be back sooner than expected.

Iheanacho is not expected to start against Liverpool, but he could come off the bench for Leicester City, assuming he is closer to 100-per cent on Monday.

The Nigerian international has been one of the team’s most important players this season because of his searing pace and finishing ability in the final third. Iheanacho is the team’s third-leading scorer with eight goals, and he has four assists.

With him out since the Leeds game, Leicester City have recorded one draw and one loss against Everton and Fulham, respectively. Jamie Vardy has taken on the attacking responsibilities in those games, but Dean Smith would, of course, rather have him link up with Iheanacho once again.

There’s more good news for the Foxes, as Ricardo Pereira might make his first appearance under Dean Smith. The Portuguese full-back has been sidelined with a hamstring injury but was back on the bench at Fulham last time out.

But to stand a chance against Liverpool, Leicester City have to tighten up their defence, which has conceded a whopping 18 goals since the start of April.

Salah can extend Liverpool’s undefeated run

Manchester United supporters are nervous nowadays because their top four spot has not yet been clinched, with long-time rivals Liverpool breathing down their necks.

And you can’t blame them because Liverpool have had nothing but positive Premier League 2023 results since the start of April, when they were defeated by Manchester City (W6, D2).

In their eight-game unbeaten run, it’s Mohamed Salah who has been the talisman for the Reds, scoring seven goals to take his total to 30, and he has also tallied 11 assists this campaign. This is his third consecutive year of hitting at least 30 goals in all competitions.

On Monday, Salah should link up once more with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez in the final third, while Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are Klopp’s options off the bench.

History

Liverpool defeated Leicester City 2-1 in their reverse fixture last December. After Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put the Foxes ahead in just four minutes, they eventually lost the game because of two own goals from Wout Faes.

Jurgen Klopp’s side has won eight of their last 11 Premier League games against Leicester City (D1, L2), which is more than they had in their previous 19 meetings (W7, D5, L7). However, Leicester City have won their last two Premier League home games against Liverpool.

The Reds will be aiming for a league double over the Foxes for the first time since 2019-20, when they won their first-ever Premiership. They have done a league double over the Foxes on two occasions under Jurgen Klopp (also in 2017-18).

Leicester City have only recorded one clean sheet across their last 13 Premier League games against Liverpool (1-0 in December 2021). During the said stretch, the Foxes were conceding 2.1 goals per game (27 goals in total).

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League 2023 odds have Liverpool as the favourites to win on Monday, as they’re priced at 1.56, whereas Leicester City are at 4.50, and a draw is pegged at 4.20 in the 1X2 market. Liverpool have been one of the hottest teams in the Premier League right now, so they should be able to win this one on the road and hope that Wolves will do them a favour at Old Trafford later.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.