Newcastle United welcome Leicester City to St James’ Park on Saturday, with both teams looking to build on respective wins before the international break.
The Magpies earned a fortunate three points last time out as custodian Rob Elliot was the hero in a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Bournemouth to move out of the bottom three.
Visitors Leicester have been nothing short of remarkable this term. The Foxes have won three games on the spin and sit second on the league table, one point behind leaders Manchester City.
Key Battle – Rob Elliot vs Jamie Vardy
Vardy has been one of, if not the best, player of the Premier League season so far. The England international is the league’s leading goalscorer with 12 strikes in as many games, with his closest challenger on only seven goals.
Against Newcastle this weekend, Vardy will be hoping to create Premier League history by equaling Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League outings. Standing on the last line of Vardy’s attempts to equal this record will be Magpies gloveman Rob Elliot.
The Irishman is deputising for regular number one Tim Krul who is out for the season and has done a stellar job so far, keeping two consecutive clean sheets including a man of the match display against Bournemouth in their most recent fixture.
Team News
Key first team players Krul, Jack Colback, Rolando Aarons and Massadio Haidara remain sidelined. They are joined by Gabriel Obertan, Steven Taylor and Emmanuel Riviere on what is a rather extensive injury list.
Newcastle United Expected XI (4-4-2): Elliot (GK); Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, Wijnaldum; Mitrovic, Perez.
Matthew James (knee) is the only first team player who is sidelined for the Foxes. Vardy has a slight niggle but is expected to play through the pain in his attempt to score in his 10th consecutive league fixture.
Leicester City Expected XI (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel (GK); Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs; Albrighton, Kante, Drinkwater, Schlupp; Mahrez; Vardy
Head-to-Head
These teams have met on 117 occasions, with Newcastle leading the overall win tally on 50 versus Leicester’s 40. There have been an additional 27 draws.
Leicester have not won at St James’ Park since April 2000 and have lost on all of their last five visits to Tyneside.
Previous Meeting
The most recent meeting between these two came late last season in April when the Foxes comfortably dispatched a hapless Newcastle 3-0 at a roaring King Power Stadium. A double from Leonardo Ulloa either side of a rare strike from skipper Wes Morgan ensured Nigel Pearson’s side won its fifth game in six on the way to a late-season charge which saw it beat the drop. On the other hand, the Magpies were sliding down the table and this loss was their eighth on the bounce. The Geordies finished the match with nine men courtesy of the sending offs of Daryl Janmaat and Mike Williamson. John Carver accused the latter of getting sent off on purpose.
Prediction
There is no denying Leicester have a poor record at St James’ Park, but the Foxes have been superb all season and against an average Newcastle side, they will give themselves every chance to get a win. It may seem like Leicester will inevitably have a downturn in fortunes and fall down the table, but they are still much stronger than the Geordies and should have too much for Steve McClaren’s side. The Foxes will win and Jamie Vardy will equal van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive league matches.
Newcastle United 1 Leicester City 2
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