Premier League: Emotional Return to the King Power

Leicester City vs Burnley

The Premier League stood still in shock two weeks ago with the tragic news of a helicopter crash which saw five people killed, including Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Vichai changed the face of Leicester City, taking them from a mid-table Championship side to Premier League champions, and this loss has stunned football fans throughout Leicester and beyond.

This Saturday, Burnley will arrive at a ground which will be charged with emotion in the first game since the terrible crash on October 27^th. The Leicester players will wear shirts in the first half with ‘Khun Vichai’ embroidered in honour of their benefactor, and there will be a two-minute silence before the kick-off, as both teams will wear black armbands.

Talking Points

Well, on to the football.

Leicester vs Burnley betting tips are always a challenge as these matches have been closely fought over the past two seasons. And while neither has made a great start to this campaign, Leicester fared the better and are clear favourites to win with home advantage.

Burnley arrive bruised by some recent batterings at the hands of the elite. But they relish a fight up in East Lancashire, and Sean Dyche will expect nothing less than maximum effort in a game he believes the Clarets can win.

How good can James Maddison become?

Leicester have some serious talent, though. It seems like the sky is the limit for Maddison. Signed for £22m from Norwich City, he has made a huge impression at the King Power: he has been playing with accomplishment beyond his 21 years. He is calm on the ball, quick to see an opportunity and can unlock a defence with an inch-perfect pass. His dead-ball skills are superb, and he has already scored spectacular goals to fully deserve his call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England side.

Maddison is one for the future but is already paying dividends on the huge investment Leicester made in him.

James Maddison shone in his previous Premier League matches for the Foxes — Leicester City midfielder James Maddison dribbles past the Gunners defence during their match versus Arsenal

Of course, the Foxes were already blessed with riches of talent from back to front. Kasper Schmeichel in goal and Harry Maguire at centre-back are big presences, as is Wilfred Ndidi in midfield, improving by the game. And, of course, they still have arch poacher Jamie Vardy up front, waiting for that Maddison ball to present him with his next goal.

Claude Puel’s men responded well to the tragedy which befell the club by winning at Cardiff last week and were a little unlucky in their last defeat to Arsenal.

This is a carefully assembled squad and one which is capable of challenging for a Europa League spot.

Can Steven Defour inspire the Clarets?

After last season’s heroics, it looks like Burnley will have to settle for survival this time around. Sean Dyche’s team just hasn’t got going after a heavy Europa fixture load at the start of the campaign.

The Clarets seemed to have recovered from a sluggish start by taking seven points from three games, but have since suffered three defeats, including two hammerings at the hands of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Burnley’s defence has been surprisingly leaky but has been under greater pressure for the absence of key injured players in the middle of the park. Sprightly winger Robbie Brady has finally recovered from a long-term injury, but the return of Steven Defour could make the difference Burnley needs. He adds a touch of real class to a hard-working outfit and makes time and space for his colleagues. Having had knee surgery last January, it’s been a long road back for the Belgium star. This is the biggest Premier League 2018 news Clarets fans have watched eagerly.

History

One of the biggest Premier League highlights of all time came in 2016, of course, when the Foxes won the league to defy pre-season odds of 5001.00.

These two teams do have history, promoted together in 2014 while Dyche constantly reminded anyone who would listen just how rich the Foxes had become. And the following season, it was Burnley who suffered relegation when Leicester made an incredible escape when seemingly doomed.

Leicester edge the head-to-heads by ten games to eight with six draws. Over the last two seasons, the sides have been well-matched, winning two each.

Betting Tip

	Leicester City vs Burnley	Burnley Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 1.80
	November 10, 23:00 (GMT+8)

Leicester at 1.48 and Burnley at 6.40, with the draw at 4.20 is not dissimilar to the odds which faced Manchester United before they sprung a late surprise to beat Juventus on Wednesday. Our SBOBET predictions didn’t see that one coming, but I don’t see a similar upset at the King Power.

Leicester won this fixture last season by 1-0, and I think it will be another tight game in a difficult atmosphere. The Foxes have won only one of their last four games at the King Power and they would take a one-goal win right now. Burnley will make it hard for the Foxes, and their defence, in particular, has a point to prove. So for an alternative bet, under 2.50 goals is at 1.97, with over 2.50 at 1.92.