Newcastle v Leicester predictions: Foxes value to halt hosts' progress

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Newcastle v Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, Sunday 2.15pm

Best bet

Leicester
1pt 12-5 general

Team news

Newcastle
Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Isaac Hayden remain sidelined. Joe Willock should return but Ryan Fraser is a doubt.

Leicester
Wilfred Ndidi, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Ward are out. Jamie Vardy (knee) is still a doubt along with Boubakary Soumare.

Match preview

Leicester have salvaged something from what had been a disappointing 2021-22 campaign by reaching the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League and they can continue that good form when they visit Newcastle in the Premier League.

The Foxes came from behind to beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on Thursday when goals from James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira sealed their progress to the last four of the inaugural Conference League.

The victory means Leicester have won eight of their last 13 games in all competitions and they look in good shape as they travel to the north east.

Brendan Rodgers' side also have a major advantage judging by the recent head-to-head record between these clubs, winning five of their last six encounters with the Magpies.

They have scored 17 goals in those six games, including a 4-0 battering in this season's reverse fixture in December.

The return of Wesley Fofana has been invaluable in shoring up the Foxes' backline and the emergence of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, coupled with the form of Youri Tielemans and Maddison, means they have one of the best midfield trios outside the top four.

With the second leg of the PSV game to worry about, Rodgers rotated heavily last weekend but his side still beat Crystal Palace, one of the form sides in the division, demonstrating the depth of their squad. They are over the majority of their injury issues and have been able to flourish as a result.

Newcastle have been solid at home under Eddie Howe, winning their last four, but those victories all came against struggling opponents and Leicester should pose a far tougher test.

The Magpies are all but mathematically safe from relegation and they have had some poor performances recently, possibly easing off a little as the threat of the drop is no longer looming over them.

Howe's side were beaten 1-0 by ten-man Everton before they capitulated 5-1 against Tottenham although their 1-0 win over Wolves last time out was an improvement. However, there is still a lack of quality and depth to the squad, particularly with the injuries to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson and now a knock to Ryan Fraser.

The quick turnaround from the Europa Conference League game is probably the reason for the juice in Leicester's price but they showed against Palace that they can shuffle the pack and remain successful.

Former Newcastle man Ayoze Perez was instrumental in the Foxes' comeback against PSV after coming off the bench and it will be interesting to see if he starts back at St James' Park.

Given that the Foxes have such a good recent record against Newcastle, and arrive in better form, it is a surprise to see the Magpies as short as 6-5. Leicester's squad looks much stronger than it was a month ago and they are worth backing to round off an impressive week with another win.

Key stat

Leicester have won five of the last six meetings between these teams.

Inside info

Newcastle

Penalty taker Chris Wood
Free-kick wizard Jonjo Shelvey
Set-piece aerial threat Chris Wood
Card magnet Joelinton

Leicester

Penalty taker Youri Tielemans
Free-kick wizard James Maddison
Set-piece aerial threat Jonny Evans
Card magnet Ricardo Pereira

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