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Match Preview: Stoke City vs Leicester City

Can Leicester make it four wins in a row?

Leicester City v Stoke City - Premier League Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Stoke City 14th (3-2-5) vs Leicester City 11th (3-3-4)

Saturday 8:30 AM ET, Brittania Stadium

The Foxes could see themselves catapulted to 8th place should they grab a consecutive win under Claude Puel. Everyone will be waiting anxiously to see how Leicester will lineup after the few tweaks he made last week lead to a fantastic performance from his side.

How to Watch

The match will air live one NBCSN and their mobile app.

The Competition

After a 1-0 win against Watford, Stoke head home looking for back-to-back wins in what has a been a lackluster start for Mark Hughes side. Stoke have strangely never beaten Leicester at home in the Premier League, drawn twice lost once. With only two wins and four loses from their last six matches, they’ll be desperate for a first home win.

Watford v Stoke City - Premier League
WATFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Saido Berahino of Stoke with manager Mark Hughes at the final whistle during the Premier League match between Watford and Stoke City at Vicarage Road on October 28, 2017 in Watford, England.
Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images

The Potters could be without Ryan Shawcross due to a thigh injury. With the 7-2 defeat to Manchester City still lurking in the back of their minds, letting Leicester take an early lead could turn into a counter-attacking onslaught from the Foxes.

The Foxes

It has been a red letter week for youngster Demarai Gray. A key pass and a sweet goal in the 2-0 win over Everton, then signed a four year extension. Things are looking up for the winger as he looks set to get another start this weekend.

Leicester City v Everton - Premier League
Tom Davies of Everton and Demarai Gray of Leicester City battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at The King Power Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Leicester, England.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy also looked like they rekindled their love for one another on the pitch when they combined for the opening goal last Sunday. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I saw them genuinely celebrate a goal together. A confident Mahrez is something like a Polar bear gliding across the Arctic, preying on his next target, except in this case he’s bagging goals not seals.

Riyad kissing the Ballon d’Or
Photo by Joerg Koch/Getty Images

The History

Leicester have had a fair amount of success against Stoke of late. One loss in their last six meetings, two 2-2 draws, and one stunning 3-0 win in 2016. If you look at the two squaring off in all competitions, the record is 33-33-33, which is kind of amazing.

The Prediction

Stoke don’t look up to doing much this season other than staying up. The signing of Jese was supposed to bolster their offense, but hasn’t done much since his debut game. If Leicester score first, it’ll be 3-0 by the 60th minute. If not, a 2-2 draw would be about right between the two sides.