Bournemouth v Leicester
Saturday 30 September, 15:00

Bournemouth struggling

Having finished last season so well, Bournemouth have started the new campaign poorly with five defeats in their first six Premier League games. Their sole league win was 2-1 at home to promoted Brighton, which they followed four days later with an EFL Cup 1-0 home victory over the same opponents.

Last Saturday's match at Everton was looking good when they held a 1-0 lead inside the final quarter of an hour but then they conceded twice in five minutes to lose again.

Only pointless Crystal Palace are below them in the table.

Harry Arter, ever-present in midfield until missing the Everton game with an achilles problem, looks likely to return. Striker Callum Wilson is still sidelined, along with defender Tyrone Mings.

Tough start for Leicester

Leicester are just two places above Bournemouth with four points, gained from a 2-0 home win over Brighton and a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield, another of the promoted teams.

But Craig Shakespeare's side have had a difficult early fixture list with their other four games - all defeats - being against big-six sides Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Jamie Vardy is a slight doubt with a hip injury but is likely to start. Defender Robert Huth and midfielder Matty James are still out.

Foxes have more bite

Both teams will view this as a good opportunity to kick-start their season and the betting odds have this as a close match to call.

Leicester are slight favourites at 2.68 and that seems the right call, given that their defeats have been against elite teams and they haven't lost against a lesser side yet. Moreover they are scoring freely with nine goals in six league games, the highest tally of any side outside the top seven.

Given that Leicester have been shut out only by Manchester United - and that includes EFL Cup wins over Sheffield United and Liverpool - they must have a good chance of taking something against low-scoring Bournemouth.

The Cherries have had three blanks in six league games and have scored more than one goal only in the win over Brighton.

Leicester's leaky defence (12 goals conceded already) gives Bournemouth hope of finding more openings, but whether they can take their chances is open to doubt.

With the visitors looking the more likely to score, and tough to beat if they do, Shakespeare's side rate well on the draw no bet at 1.93.

Over 2.5 goals more likely

Bournemouth have yet to keep a clean sheet and four of their six games have had over 2.5 goals. Since the start of last season, 63% of their home games have gone over 2.5.

Leicester's stats are difficult to weigh up at the moment. Both games against teams outside the big six have had under 2.5 goals, while three out of four against the elite have had over 2.5.

Overall under Shakespeare, there is a slight leaning towards over 2.5 goals in away games.

Ref Watch

Graham Scott takes charge of his third Premier League match of the season. His most high-profile decision came in the goalless draw between Watford and Brighton when he rightly sent off Miguel Britos for his horrendous challenge on Anthony Knockaert. Overall he ranks in the mid-range for cards.

Recommended Bet
Back Leicester on Draw No Bet at 1.93


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