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Attendance: 32,129
Leicester logo
Premier League | Gameweek 6
Sep 21, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
Spurs logo

2-1

Pereira (69'), Maddison (85')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kane (29')

Preview: Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Saturday's Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Leicester City play host to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon on the back of suffering their first defeat of the campaign at Manchester United.

Meanwhile, after their trip to Greece earlier this week, Spurs return to domestic action sitting in third position in the top-flight standings.


Leicester City

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers on August 31, 2019© Reuters

Such had been Leicester's strong start to the campaign that many were tipping Brendan Rodgers's side to claim all three points when they made the trip to Old Trafford last weekend.

However, while they only succumbed to a Marcus Rashford penalty, the result has the potential to derail Leicester's early form, which has kept them in and around the top four of the standings.

Out of a chasing pack containing several clubs, Leicester are the most fancied to break the established "top six" come May, and there is a window of opportunity given that many of those teams are dropping points on a regular basis.

Nevertheless, despite sitting on the same points total as Spurs, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, Rodgers will be keen to focus on the short term with his team yet to register a dominant win this season.

The victories which they have picked up - against Sheffield United and Bournemouth - have come mainly through desire over a ruthlessness in front of goal, or the ability to keep a clean sheet at the other end.

While conceding just five goals from six outings in all competitions since the departure of Harry Maguire is commendable, Rodgers will want to see his side shut out one of their future opponents, as well as rid themselves of a developing trend of conceding early goals.

Leicester have already shipped goals before the quarter-hour mark on three occasions this season, something which must end at some point if they are not to undermine their efforts at the other end.

Rodgers may feel that it is imperative against a team of Spurs' quality, although there is a certain amount of pressure on both teams this weekend, with the victors securing second spot in the table before the 3pm kickoffs.

Recent form: DDWWL
Recent form (all competitions): DDWDWL


Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino pictured on August 10, 2019© Reuters

Despite currently being regarded as the best of the rest behind Liverpool and Manchester City, Spurs have several more gears to go before they reach their levels of the previous campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have ridden their luck at times, especially in draws with Manchester City and Arsenal, but coming through each of those encounters unscathed could make a difference come the end of the season.

A third 2-2 draw in quick succession followed in midweek against Olympiacos, although Pochettino was not shy in expressing his disappointment with his side's performance.

While the Argentine was naturally unhappy at witnessing Spurs let slip a two-goal advantage, he also questioned why his players failed to perform to the strategy set out before the contest.

There is an argument that Spurs had not delivered for the fifth time in half-a-dozen outings this season, and Pochettino is showing increasing concern regarding the level of their displays.

Christian Eriksen has also done little to reassure his manager that he is fully committed to the cause, having produced another underwhelming showing in midfield - a factor which Pochettino must assess on a game-by-game basis.

The Dane should not necessarily be singled out, however, with as much onus needing to be placed on the backline as a result of eight goals being conceded since the second weekend in August.

Spurs have a generous fixture list on the domestic front in the coming weeks, but failure to take advantage of it will heap further pressure on Pochettino and his squad heading into the winter months.

Recent form: WDLDW
Recent form (all competitions): WDLDWD


Team News

Son Heung-min celebrates scoring for Spurs on September 14, 2019© Reuters

The short turnaround for Spurs will inevitably lead to changes, which should mean that Son Heung-min is recalled to the starting lineup on the left flank.

The South Korea international could potentially come in for Eriksen, while Moussa Sissoko is in line to return to the centre of midfield.

Serge Aurier and Danny Rose were each rested on Wednesday night, and they should take the places of Davinson Sanchez and Ben Davies in the full-back positions.

Despite Leicester's setback against United, Rodgers is unlikely to make many alterations to his starting lineup this weekend.

Either Ayoze Perez or Harvey Barnes should come into the team for Demarai Gray, while Dennis Praet is in contention to make just his second Premier League start.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Choudhury, Ndidi, Tielemans; Perez, Maddison, Vardy

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Ndombele; Moura, Alli, Son; Kane


Head To Head

Saturday's clash will represent the 113th competitive meeting between the two clubs, with Spurs registering 56 wins in comparison to 35 victories for Leicester.

The North Londoners have had the better of this rivalry over the past three campaigns, recording four triumphs and scoring 18 goals in the process.

The Foxes have only prevailed in the corresponding fixture on one occasion from six attempts in all competitions since 2014.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

While it is difficult to write off Leicester against any opposition in front of their own supporters, it is equally hard to see Spurs not getting on the scoresheet in the East Midlands. We can see these two sides cancelling each out in an entertaining encounter.



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