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[monks data]
Leicester logo
Premier League
Nov 7, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Watford logo

2-1

Kante (52'), Vardy (65' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)
Deeney (75' pen.)

Preview: Leicester City vs. Watford

Sports Mole previews the Premier League match between Leicester City and Watford at the King Power Stadium.

Two sides that will be hoping to secure a third straight Premier League victory go head to head at the King Power Stadium this weekend as Leicester City host Watford.

The Foxes are unbeaten in their last four, while Watford have turned around their form, with back-to-back wins leaving them mid-table.


Leicester City

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on October 31, 2015© Getty Images

Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City side have been one of the surprise packages in the top flight so far this season, with their come-from-behind 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion leaving them third in the table – a point clear of Manchester United.

Leicester have lost just once in the league this season, slipping to a 5-2 loss to Arsenal in September. The team have won three of their four fixtures since then, but were knocked out of the League Cup by Hull City on penalties last month.

The form of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy has certainly helped this weekend's hosts, with the England international scoring in his last eight matches, making him the top scorer in the division, while Mahrez's brace against the Baggies leaves him with seven goals in the league so far this season.

Leicester's attacking has been among the best in the division, with the team scoring 23 goals in their 11 matches so far – only league leaders Manchester City have been more prolific in front of goal. Defending has not been as solid for the Foxes though, having kept just one clean sheet this season, while conceding 19 times – the only six sides to have conceded more make up the bottom six in the table.

Leicester's home form is also responsible for their lofty position in the table, with the team winning three of their five home fixtures so far, although they are also unbeaten away from home.

The team's impressive run at the start of the season has inevitably resulted in the club's in-form players being linked with a move away from the side in January, with Mahrez thought to be on Manchester United's radar, while Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid are among a string of clubs being linked with Vardy, although Ranieri has insisted that both are happy at Leicester.

Recent form: DLWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWLW


Watford

Odion Ighalo of Watford celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and West Ham United at Vicarage Road on October 31, 2015© Getty Images

Watford made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League last weekend, with Odion Ighalo scoring either side of half time in a 2-0 win over West Ham United at Vicarage Road.

It is the second time this season that Watford have won two consecutive matches, which leave them 11th in the table heading into this match, level on points with Crystal Palace and Everton, who are only ahead on goal difference.

The form of Ighalo has been vital for the Hornets so far this season, particularly with captain Troy Deeney netting just once since helping the side secure promotion back to the top flight. Ighalo now has seven goals in 11 appearances this season including six in his last six appearances.

Aside from Ighalo, Quique Flores's men have struggled to put the ball in the net, scoring just 10 times so far in the top flight, which is the second-lowest total in the division.

Watford have had one of the strongest defences in the Premier League this season, conceding just 10 goals in their opening 11 fixtures. Only the Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Spurs have let in fewer.

The Hornets actually have a slightly stronger record away from home this season, having been beaten just once in their five fixtures away from Vicarage Road. Watford also find it easier to score when visiting other teams, scoring more than twice as often in their away matches.

Recent form: WLDLWW


Team News

Christian Fuchs of Leicester City during the Pre Season Friendly match between Burton Albion and Leicester City at Pirelli Stadium on July 28, 2015© Getty Images

The home side is likely to be boosted by the return of Christian Fuchs, who has been back in training after missing last week's trip to The Hawthorns.

Top scorer Jamie Vardy should also be fine, despite limping through a blow to his heel towards the end of last week's victory. The striker has trained as normal, and has been included in Roy Hodgson's latest England squad.

The only player that will miss the match for Leicester is Matty James as he remains sidelined with a knee ligament injury, but the manager has insisted that his recovery is on schedule.

Ighalo picked up a knock towards the end of the win over West Ham last weekend, although he is not expected to miss Saturday's match, leaving Jose Jurado and Joel Ekstrand as the only real doubts for the visitors.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Schlupp, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Albrighton, King, Vardy

Watford possible starting lineup:
Gomes, Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake, Watson, Capoue, Anya, Deeney, Abdi, Ighalo


Head To Head

When the sides were both in the Championship in the 2013-14 season, Leicester secured a 2-2 home draw, having beaten Watford away from home earlier in the season.

The two sides have been fairly well matched in recent years, with both sides picking up four wins in their last nine meetings, while 13 of the last nine matches have seen a red card.

Leicester narrowly edge the head-to-head record, with 13 wins to Watford's 11, while 10 matches have resulted in draws.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Watford

Both sides will be confident of getting something from this match given their form in recent weeks, but Leicester have shown impressive resilience in recent weeks, regularly coming from behind in the second half, which is when Watford have found themselves letting in goals. The Hornets have proved themselves to be a tricky side to beat away from home, but the hosts' superior fire power should be enough.



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Written by
Sian Cowper
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Olivier Giroud (C) of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates Per Mertesacker (L) and Mesut Ozil (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium on October 31, 2015
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3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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