Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
It’s matches like this that can make the difference between a fleeting title challenge and a sustained title challenge.
2016 Premier League champions Leicester are considered one of the best sides outside the top six and a trip to the King Power is always a tricky encounter – just ask any of the leading clubs in the top flight in recent years.
Yet Spurs are a side with a desire.
They were far too strong for, albeit a poor, Crystal Palace last weekend, while in midweek showed their attacking desires remain clinical even if a quickfire double wasn’t enough to secure success in Greece against Olympiakos.
The question this SBOBET observer has, is, are Mauricio Pochettino’s team really ready to challenge for the Premier League top spot?
Talking Points
Before these sides embark in battle – and likely produce Premier League highlights – there are other questions that need answering.
Can Leicester bounce back from their first defeat of the maiden campaign?
Can Spurs shake off their midweek frustrations when they let slip a two-goal advantage in Europe?
Can the Foxes keep England skipper Harry Kane quiet?
Kane scores goals in bunches on a regular basis, but his already prolific record finds an extra gear whenever he faces off against Leicester.
Indeed, he has scored against them 11 times since their promotion back to the top flight in 2014 – that’s a goal every 58 minutes.
His first strike against Leicester, who were then propping up the division, came in the first minute as he opened the scoring in a 2-1 Spurs win at the King Power.
Later that season, Kane scored his first of eight Premier League hat-tricks in a memorable seven-goal thriller at White Hart Lane that saw the side then managed by Nigel Pearson come from two-goal down to draw level before a late Jeffrey Schlupp own goal handed the win to Tottenham.
The Midlanders are a tougher prospect now and are fifth in the table going into the weekend having not conceded more than one goal in each of their six games – including a cup clash with Newcastle – this season.
Manager Brendan Rodgers seems to have the structure of his side developed and is now waiting for his creative talents such as James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans to come to life after early glimpses.
The Foxes are also one of the League’s cleanest teams after six matches, picking up just three yellow cards.
This may be feisty, however – a rivalry stretching back to 2015/16 remains under the surface make no mistake.
The answer to these questions and perhaps more will be answered on Saturday. It will certainly be worth watching.
History
Spurs have held the upper hand over the Foxes since the underdogs pipped them to the Premier League title three years ago.
Last season, they did the double against their opponents in what was one of Claude Puel’s final matches in charge.
Spurs won 3-1 at Wembley but Leicester could count themselves unfortunate not to gain a point, especially after Jamie Vardy saw his penalty saved with his first touch after coming on as substitute.
They also won 2-0 at the King Power in December, courtesy of goals from Son Heung-Min and Dele Alli.
Leicester did win this fixture two years ago, however.
Goals from Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the duo who inspired their title triumph, saw them open up a 2-0 lead before Kane pulled one back.
That is only one of two Leicester victories against Spurs in their last 11 meetings in all competitions.
Overall, Spurs have 56 successes to Leicester’s 35 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
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Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur | Leicester City Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.23 |
| September 21, 19:30 (GMT+8) |
The Premier League betting odds edge this towards Spurs, but only just.
The North Londoners are priced 1X2 @ 2.35 with Leicester @ 2.90 and the draw @ 3.35.
Spurs -0.50 @ 2.35 is a very attractive Asian Handicap bet it must be said, while goals are expected to judge by over 2.75 goals @ 2.06 and total goal 2-3 @ 1.91.
A repeat of the corresponding fixture last season – correct score 0-2 – is on offer @ 12.50.
I may surprise some here but, with Spurs playing in a tough encounter in Greece in midweek and Leicester having a free week ahead of this lunchtime kick-off, I am backing the Foxes to bounce back from their defeat at Old Trafford.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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