EPL – Match Preview – Norwich City vs Leicester City

EPL – Match Preview – Norwich City vs Leicester City

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Two of the Premier League’s surprise packets Norwich City host Leicester City do battle on Saturday with both teams keen to continue their impressive form.

Norwich sit five points above the relegation zone and were unlucky not to leave West Ham United with all three points last weekend. It’s a similar case for Leicester who sit eighth on 12 points, suffering their first defeat of the season against Arsenal in a 5-2 loss last time out.

The key for the home side is keeping free-scoring duo Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy quiet – the pair have combined for 11 goals already this term. Many eyebrows were raised at the end of last season when Nigel Pearson was sacked as manager, however, their subsequent replacement Claudio Ranieri has done a wonderful job and is making a big impression with the Foxes’ fans.

Key Battle – Sebastien Bassong vs Jamie Vardy

Norwich’s powerful centre-back Sebastien Bassong will have the tough task of man-marking England’s most in-form striker, Vardy. His two goals in Leicester’s defeat to Arsenal were a shining light for a player who retained in the England squad for the national side’s upcoming friendly matches. Bassong has been a key figure at the heart of defence this season, but he will have his work cut trying to curtail the influence of the Foxes’ hard-working striker. For two of the competition’s lesser known players, this is an absorbing personal duel in prospect which could have a major bearing on the outcome of the game.

Team News

Matt Jarvis is expected to slot back into the starting XI, after he was ineligible to play against his parent club West Ham last week as part of his loan agreement. The winger will likely replace Robbie Brady, however, his solid display and goal last week could see him retain his position in the side. There will also be competition from starlet Nathan Redmond, following his wonderful cameo off the bench when he scored Norwich’s second goal. Leicester are expected to have a full strength team to choose from with no fresh injury concerns, although the game could come too soon for Nathan Dyer who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Head-to-Head

Norwich have a wonderful record against their upcoming opponents, winning six and drawing three of their past 10 meetings against Leicester. The last league match against each other came back in 2010, when the Canaries edged a seven-goal thriller 4-3. It was one of the real highlights of Norwich’s successful promotion campaign, with Wes Hoolahan scoring twice on that day.

Previous Meeting

David Nugent’s brace in the FA Cup on Feburary 18, 2012 sent the then Championship outfit into the quarter-finals of the competition. It was a memorable day for the travelling fans and a missed opportunity for a Norwich side who finished in a credible 12th in the top-flight come May.

Prediction

This truly feels like an evenly balanced match on paper. Both teams are prone to conceding a lot of goals – 26 between them already this term – but also have the firepower to score at the other end. Alex Neil will try and nullify Leicester’s counter-attacking threat and ensure that his side are not drawn into the open game that the Foxes like. The Canaries are unbeaten in four consecutive games in all competitions and the trend may well continue in this one with a high-scoring draw the most likely outcome if form is anything to go by.

Norwich 2 Leicester 2

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