Leicester-Brighton is a match for the twenty-first day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 4pm: stats, TV, line-ups, predictions
Long gone are the days when Leicester were fighting for Europe and were rightfully among the Premier League’s big boys. The Foxes have been back to their pre-Ranieri form for a couple of seasons now, and this year they are in serious danger of being entangled in the fight to avoid relegation for a long time.
Brendan Rodgers is still in the saddle but things have plummeted again in the last few days of the season. Since the Premier League resumed, Leicester have lost four games in a row, the last of which was in a direct clash with Nottingham Forest (2-0). The only joys have come in the cups, although the League Cup run came to a halt with the defeat at Newcastle. In the standings it looks bad for Vardy and his teammates, who have only two points more than the third-last West Ham. It must also be said that Rodgers has been dealing with a long series of injuries since the start of the season, a real deterrent to the continuity that has always been lacking. The infirmary is always full – this weekend Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall could recover – and it seems to be the attack, which has run out of fuel in three of the last four games, that is paying the price.
Brighton are scoring goals in buckets
Leicester, who have been beaten five times at home in the Premier League, host one of the Premier League’s most in-form teams on matchday 21, Brighton.
Welbeck’s exultation
Roberto De Zerbi grabbed all the tabloid headlines on Saturday thanks to a resounding 3-0 win over Liverpool, one of the most prestigious ever in the Seagulls’ history. The former Sassuolo coach, taking advantage of the excellent base left by his predecessor Graham Potter, managed to inculcate his offensive mentality in the players, and the results are all visible. As well as winning three games in a row between the Premier League and FA Cup, Brighton are scoring goals in buckets. Since Boxing Day they have never scored less than three. A roster that for now is worth seventh place in the table, -4 from the Europa League. Not even the Trossard affair – now a step away from Arsenal – excluded by De Zerbi for disciplinary reasons, has upset an environment in which enthusiasm is tangible.
The Prediction
A Brighton side on a high should be able to take advantage of Leicester’s slump, who again seem to have a derisory chance of bringing home points and breaking the losing streak. Another high-scoring match is on the horizon, a constant in the Seagulls’ matches: the total number of goals will be at least three.
Leicester-Brighton
probable line-ups.
- LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas; Ndidi, Mendy; Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans, Barnes; Daka.
- BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gross, Dunk, Colwill, Estupinan; Caicedo, Mac Allister; March, Lallana, Mitoma; Welbeck.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-3
