MX23RW : Monday, November 11 09:48:39| >> :600:181890:181890:
Nov 9, 2019 at 5.30pm UK at ​King Power Stadium
Attendance: 32,209
LeicesterLeicester City
2-0
Arsenal
Vardy (68'), Maddison (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

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

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

Leicester City head into their fixture with Arsenal on Saturday evening with the opportunity to move into second place in the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Unai Emery takes his side to the King Power Stadium aware that he must start to deliver more wins if he is to keep his job in the Gunners dugout.


Leicester City

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers on October 19, 2019© Reuters

At a time when several of the division's top six have struggled for consistency, Leicester City have given every indication that they are capable of gatecrashing the top four at the end of the season.

Their only defeats have come on the road to Manchester United and Liverpool, with both North-West giants requiring a penalty to get the better of the Foxes.

However, courtesy of three successive victories, Leicester sit six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal ahead of welcoming the Gunners to their home ground.

Despite being less than a third of the way through the campaign, Saturday's showdown in the East Midlands feels like a pivotal encounter in the context of the rest of the season.

Not only would success extend the gap to nine points, it would leave Arsenal facing further scrutiny heading into the winter months, a period which can make or break a club's season.

While defeat would not be the end of the world for Leicester, Brendan Rodgers will be eager to grasp an opportunity to strengthen their hold of a Champions League place with some difficult games to come over Christmas.

Jamie Vardy will want to continue his run of five goals from three outings, although Rodgers may be more satisfied if his defence can keep a fourth clean sheet in half-a-dozen matches.

To some extent, the pressure is entirely on Arsenal's shoulders heading into this contest, but Rodgers will want his players to play with the same mix of balance and urgency which has gotten them into their current position.

Recent form: WWLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWW


Arsenal

Arsenal manager Unai Emery gestures during the match against Aston Villa on September 22, 2019© Reuters

There are some who feel that it is only a matter of time before the Arsenal hierarchy choose to replace Emery, with his squad coming under increasing pressure after letting slip yet another lead on Wednesday night.

However, while a win at Leicester would not completely change the mood at the Gunners, it would at least buy Emery some time to make full use of the upcoming international break.

The Spaniard requires a period where he can take a step back and assess where this squad is going, rather than having to contend with issues both on and off the pitch when matches are coming thick and fast.

There is an argument that Emery did not help himself by taking his time to act on matters involving the club captaincy after Granit Xhaka's angry outburst towards supporters last month.

Nevertheless, failing to take advantage of holding leads against Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Vitoria de Guimaraes has sparked a concerning period for everyone associated with the club.

While Arsenal are still in fifth position, they have benefited from the inconsistencies of some of their rivals, and a failure to get over their recent slump will soon leave the North Londoners down in mid-table.

The main positive from last weekend's draw with Wolves was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ending a three-game streak without a goal in the Premier League.

However, Arsenal now only have two clean sheets from 11 top-flight fixtures this season, something which must improve in the coming weeks.

Recent form: WDWLDD
Recent form (all competitions): LWDDDD


Team News

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka reacts after being substituted on October 27, 2019© Reuters

Xhaka is again likely to be absent for Arsenal as Emery continues to consider the midfielder's future.

Hector Bellerin is expected to feature at right-back after not playing in the Europa League, while David Luiz should also return to the backline.

Dani Ceballos could miss out due to a thigh injury, meaning that Mesut Ozil and Nicolas Pepe may feature further forward.

Barring any late injury issues, Rodgers could name the same XI which began the fixture against Palace.

Despite his impressive cameo last week, Demarai Gray is unlikely to get the nod ahead of Ayoze Perez or Harvey Barnes.

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

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Leno; Bellerin, Sokratis, Luiz, Tierney; Guendouzi, Torreira; Pepe, Ozil, Aubameyang; Lacazette


Head To Head

Saturday's meeting represents the 142nd competitive clash between the two clubs, with Arsenal recording 66 wins in comparison to 31 victories for Leicester.

Despite the Gunners possessing the better historical record, Leicester have won each of the last two fixtures at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes recorded a 3-0 victory when the two teams last met in April this year.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Arsenal

While this contest could prove to be closer than many people believe, Leicester should have the confidence to grind out three more important points. The Foxes have a knack of netting late goals, something which does not play into Arsenal's favour at present.


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Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Leicester City and Arsenal?

Leicester City
Draw
Arsenal
Leicester City
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Arsenal
0.0%
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Arsenal's Granit Xhaka reacts after being substituted on October 27, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool12111028101834
2Leicester CityLeicester128222982126
3Chelsea1282227171026
4Manchester CityMan City1281335132225
5Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd12453139417
6Arsenal124531617-117
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441612416
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves123721615116
9Bournemouth124441515016
10Burnley124351718-115
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton124351517-215
12Crystal Palace124351016-615
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle124351118-715
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs123541817114
15Everton124261318-514
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham123451420-613
17Aston Villa123271720-311
18Watford12156823-158
19Southampton122281129-188
20Norwich CityNorwich122191128-177

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