Match Preview: Leicester City vs Newcastle United

Leicester City 7th (14-5-14) vs Newcastle United 15th (9-8-16)

Live on NBCSN at 3pm ET

Leicester come into this match hoping to secure their fifth win in a row, as well as their seventh win out of eight in all competitions against Newcastle. While not mathematically safe, the Magpies know another loss would see them closer to the drop than they’d like to be.

The Opposition

With just three points from their last five matches, Rafa Benitez’s side are now only seven points clear of 18th and Cardiff will have two games in hand after Friday’s match. Their recent play doesn’t incite much hope in the Newcastle faithful given they’ve failed to score a goal in 180+ minutes and allowed three in that same span. They took 18 shots against Crystal Palace, but only managed 5 on target. In the week before against Arsenal, they only managed one on frame from three.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Should Salomon Rondon find the net, it will be his 10th goal of the season. He will be the main danger man to watch out for on Friday and will surely keep Wes Morgan and company busy.

The Foxes

Leicester City haven’t gone on a run like this since Craig Shakespeare was in charge. The Foxes have only kept one clean sheet under Brendan Rodgers, but came very close last week against Huddersfield. Kasper Schmeichel was called upon several times and was Leicester’s player of the match in my opinion.

Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Jamie Vardy has been rejuvenated under the new regime. His six goals in the last five games have us reminiscing of the time he scored in 11 straight. Here is to another goal against Newcastle to keep the dream alive!

The Prediction

Given the form of each team, I think Leicester can pull off another victory in front of the home supporters. The King Power stadium has certainly found it’s sound again and looks to be on it’s way back to the stronghold of the past. I fancy a 3-1 win.