Leicester v Stoke: Back a fifth straight win for Shakespeare's Foxes

Leicester v Stoke
Saturday, 15:00

Leicester

Last season's Premier League champions have four straight wins since they sacked Claudio Ranieri and replaced him with the Italian's assistant manager Craig Shakespeare.

While Leicester's reassurance can be partly put down to the brief psychological boost that can come with a change in manager, Shakespeare has to be given some credit too.

By far the most effective decision Shakespeare's made since taking charge is starting Shinji Okazaki in every game, after the Japanese international was bizarrely marginalised under Ranieri this season. Okazaki's contribution to Leicester's title triumph has been somewhat overlooked, but his hard work is vital to the team and it's no coincidence that his strike partner Jamie Vardy is now back among the goals.

Shakespeare has three players likely to miss the match through injury, with Nampalys Mendy, Wes Morgan and Molla Wague all set to be on the sidelines.

Stoke

Stoke have only won two of their last eight league games, but that statistic doesn't tell the true story of their current form.

Mark Hughes' side have had the misfortune of playing six sides currently in the top eight of the Premier League during this run and managed to pick up credible draws with Manchester United, Everton and Manchester City. Their defeats to WBA and Chelsea were narrow ones, with only Spurs really outclassing them.

Still, the fact remains that Stoke have only won nine points from a possible 24. The bad news for them is that their fixtures aren't getting any easier in the foreseeable future, with in-form Leicester followed by a trip to home specialists Burnley, before Stoke host a Liverpool side competing for a Champions League place.

Hughes must do with the suspended Phil Bardsley for the tricky trip to Leicester, while Jack Butland, Stephen Ireland and Glen Johnson are all injured.

Ref Watch

Lee Mason will officiate. He's only showed two red cards so far this season.

Match Odds

Leicester are the 2.10 favourites, with the draw at 3.55 and Stoke at 4.00.

It's a tempting price for a home win, as Leicester aim for a fifth successive victory. This is especially true when you consider that Stoke have lost five of their last seven away games.

In the double result market, Leicester are 3.35 to win Half-time/Full-time, as they've managed in three of their last four matches.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Under 2.5 goals is 1.90, with overs out at 2.08.

Leicester's last three Premier League games have all seen over 2.5 goals, with the Foxes conceding on each occasion. In contrast, six of Stoke's previous eight matches have seen less than three goals.

With the statistics rather clouding the overs/unders market, Both Teams To Score at 1.85 looks like a safer proposition, as Leicester have so far failed to plug their leaky defence under Shakespeare.

To Score

Vardy has scored three times from his last three league outings and found the net for England in the 2-0 win over Lithuania. If the striker can recapture the levels of consistency that he found last season, then the 2.62 on offer for him to score is generous.

Recommended Bets
Back Leicester to win at 2.10
Back both teams to score at 1.85