Liverpool vs Leicester City: preview, predictions, expected lineups and betting odds
Sep 9, 2016 at 3:26 PM
After a two week-long international break that saw some interesting games, Merseyside outfit Liverpool will be back in action this weekend as they welcome the Champions of England in a new renovated Anfield in Liverpool. Both teams have taken 4 points from their first 3 games and have looked far from convincing but both managers will know that this is still early in the season and that a good result this weekend can lay a foundation for the rest of the season. With the clubs set to face off in just over 24 hours, here is the preview of the game along with the team news, predictions, expected lineups and betting odds.
The Liverpool vs Leicester City game will be played on Saturday, the 10th of September at the Anfield in Liverpool. The kickoff is scheduled at 5:30 pm BST (10:00 pm IST).
Team News:
Liverpool were handed fitness boosts ahead of this game with Lucas Leiva and Loris Karius back to full training and ready to play a role in the game this weekend. However, Emre Can and Ragnar Klavan are ruled out of the game nursing injuries picked up on international duty. The biggest news, however, is that winger Sadio Mane is back fit and will start the game at Anfield.
Claudio Ranieri will be happy to welcome back Kasper Schmeichel back to the squad after an injury lay-off while Islam Slimani, the club record signing is getting ready to make a debut for the Foxes at Anfield. They will also be happy to welcome Nampalys Mendy, the midfield enforcer for the game against Liverpool.
Expected Lineups:
Liverpool:
Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Henderson, Lallana; Mane, Firmino, Coutinho; Sturridge
Leicester City:
Schmeichel; Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Mendy, Albrighton; Vardy, Slimani
Key Battles:
Joel Matip vs Jamie Vardy:
The summer signing for Liverpool, Joel Matip, has made a decent start to his career in the Premier League and was strong against the likes of Harry Kane in the previous game. However, he will be up against a sizzling attack led by Jamie Vardy who will cause a lot of trouble at the back for the Reds. This battle can decide the outcome of the game on the night.
Sadio Mane vs Christian Fuchs:
The Leicester City left-back has been decent for over a season now and will hope to stay strong against the home side at Anfield but will be against one Sadio Mane, who has made himself an important part of the Liverpool squad in just a month’s time. It will be interesting to see if the Austrian international can keep his flank away from danger against Mane and Clyne on the night.
Key Stats:
Liverpool were one of just two teams to beat Leicester City in the Premier League last season (along with Arsenal), winning 1-0 at Anfield in December.
After winning three league games in a row at Anfield between 1997 and 2000, Leicester have failed to win any of their last five there (D1 L4).
Liverpool have won more games against the reigning Premier League champions than any other side has (19).
The reigning Premier League champion has not won a league game at Anfield since Manchester United won 1-0 in December 2007 (D3 L5 since).
No team has conceded more goals in the Premier League this season than Liverpool (six – level with Watford and Stoke).
Jamie Vardy has found the net six times in his last seven Premier League games, and scored both of Leicester’s goals in their 2-0 win over Liverpool in February.
Only George Boyd (233) has made more sprints than Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino in the top-flight this season (214).
Claudio Ranieri has won just one of his five previous league games at Anfield, back in August 2003 (D1 L3).
The Foxes have collected 46 points in 2016, more than any other Premier League side (W13 D7 L2).
Betting Odds:
Liverpool: 4/6
Draw: 31/10
Leicester City: 9/2
Prediction:
Liverpool will be favorites to take all three points from this game, especially playing in a noisier Anfield but Leicester City will carry their own threat. If Liverpool can avoid a repeat of Burnley and can stay focused in front of goal, they will go away with a victory but if they are on the back foot early in the game, it will be a long night for the Reds in the field and also in the stands.
Our Prediction:
Liverpool 3-1 Leicester City