Premier League: The Unlikely Grudge Match Returns To North London

Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City

We are into the final month of the 2021/22 Premier League season – at least we will be by the time this encounter kicks off.

A fixture that became an unlikely grudge match a few years back and is still showing such signs, even if the stakes on Sunday are not as high as in recent times.

Yet meetings between Spurs and Leicester City have certainly taken on another dimension with a rivalry (mainly emanating from Spurs quarters it must be said when the Foxes beat them to the title) remaining under the surface.

That is why this could easily produce plenty of Premier League highlights.

Talking Points

Let us begin with the hosts.

Since Antonio Conte was appointed in November, the Italian has been keen to play down the club’s top four hopes but, ever since his first home match, there has been significant improvement.

Their aspirations of being at top table of European next term suffered a blow last weekend when held by Brentford, just hours after North London rivals – and their main challengers in the race for fourth – saw off Manchester United.

Indeed, Conte’s team have handed back momentum to Arsenal by collecting just one point from a possible six, having failed to muster a single shot on target across 180 minutes against both Brighton and the Bees.

That means this is a must-win against the 2016 Premier League champions Despite being in 10^th place, Leicester are considered one of the best sides outside the top six – just ask any of the leading clubs in the top flight in recent years.

This weekend though they could have one eye on forthcoming Europa League Conference semi-final second leg against Roma, managed by Jose Mourinho who was actually in charge of Spurs for this fixture last term – 16 months ago

Furthermore, the man who has inspired so many of their successes, Jamie Vardy, has only just returned after six weeks out with a knee injury so it’s unlikely he will start in north London.

The Foxes showed against PSV in the quarter-finals and against Roma on Thursday why they cannot be written off.

But all the factors, including that this is a far more important game for Spurs, point to a home win which no doubt will come with at least one goal from England skipper Harry Kane – so often Leicester City’s nemesis.

History

Spurs have largely held the upper hand over the Foxes since the underdogs pipped them to the Premier League title in 2016.

Last season, they ended their Champions League qualification with a 4-2 win at the King Power Stadium on the final day (not for the first time either as they did something similar 12 months earlier).

On that occasion, two Vardy penalties had put them in the ascendancy and on course for a top four finish before three goals – one an own goal, two from on loan Gareth Bale – turned the match around in favour of the North Londoners.

If that seemed late, what happened at the King Power in January was the stuff of dreams – or nightmares – depending on who you support as Steven Bergwijn scored two injury-time goals (95 and 97 minutes).

The victory also set a new Premier League feat as Spurs were behind at 94 minutes, 52 seconds – the latest time a team has been behind before winning a Premier League match.

Kane was a scorer in both those games and, despite an already prolific record, seems to find an extra gear whenever he faces off against Leicester.

In fact, he has scored against them 16 times since their promotion back to the top flight in 2014.

Neither he nor his team-mates manager that in the corresponding fixture last term though as a Vardy penalty and an own goal helped Leicester to an impressive 2-0 win.

That is only one of three Leicester victories against Spurs in their last 12 meetings in all competitions.

Overall, Spurs have 59 successes to Leicester’s 37 with 21 games ending all square.

There has been only one goalless draw in the 97 league meetings between the teams. That came in the second tier at Spurs in March 1948.

Betting Tip

Spurs are big favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds.

The lilywhites can be backed 1X2 @ 1.46 and Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.38 compared to the visitors 1X2 @ 6.40 and Asian Handicap +1.00 @ 2.21.

The draw is on offer @ 4.40.

If Leicester can repeat last season’s triumph, then Correct Score 0-2 will pay out @ 50.00.

A repeat of the hosts’ 3-2 victory from January – though it can’t possibly be as dramatic – is available @ 23.00.

As for goals, which these encounters so often deliver, then how about Over 3.00 @ 2.04. Over 3.25 @ 2.28, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.06 or 4-6 @ 2.82?

Spurs have to win and have had a week to prepare, while Leicester have been involved in European combat, and I think that combination will prove decisive.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.