Crystal Palace v Leicester City: Both teams can net in tight contest

Crystal Palace v Leicester City
Saturday, 15:00

Palace in need of a victory

Crystal Palace did not get off to a disastrous start, like last season, but Roy Hodgson's sideare still in need of wins after managing just three in the Premier League. The Eagles are 16th in the table and only two points above the relegation zone with the team's over reliance on Wilfried Zaha, who is suspended this weekend, holding them back.

Palace come into this match off the back of successive away defeats. A 3-1 loss at rivals Brighton was followed by a 3-2 defeat at West Ham last weekend. Hodgson will be concerned by the Eagles' form and the need for points is only enhanced by upcoming fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea before the end of the year.

Foxes bidding to close gap on top six

Leicester are ninth in the standings and Claude Puel's side look well-placed to secure a top ten finish this season. The Foxes are only four points off sixth-placed Manchester United but finishing just below them looks a more realistic target. Perhaps their attention will turn to the League Cup, their quarter-final tie at home to Man City follows this match, with the team only three matches from Wembley.

City's seven match unbeaten run came to an end last weekend after their 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham. Leicester should be boosted by the return of Jamie Vardy this weekend with the striker fit again following a groin injury which forced him to miss the last two matches. James Maddison also offers a goal threat with the midfielder scoring five goals this season.

Tough to separate teams in match market

Palace are slight favourites at 2.74 but they have to be backed with an element of trust. The Eagles have only won one of their last 11 league matches so their current form is poor. Only one victory has come at Selhurst Park all season and they are missing their best player in Zaha so there are plenty of doubts against them.

Leicester are 3.00 and have to be considered better value at the prices. City have won three of their eight away matches in the competition although have struggled against Palace recently. The Foxes lost both games last season and have gone three matches without a victory against them.

The draw is the biggest price in the market at 3.25 and definitely merits consideration. Leicester's last two away matches have ended in a draw but only one of Palace's last six games were stalemates. This market looks extremely tight and it is probably worth looking elsewhere for a bet in such a finely-balanced match.

Both teams likely to get on scoresheet

Leicester have scored in each of their last nine away Premier League matches and their games have seen plenty of goals. City have conceded 32 goals in 16 away league fixtures during 2018 so the chances of both teams scoring looks promising. Palace have scored five goals in their last three matches and odds of 2.04 for both teams to net look very generous.

Palace are bidding for their third successive win over Leicester and slight preference is for the hosts although it could be worth using Betfair's Same Game Multi to side with them. Bundling together Palace in the double chance market and both teams to score enhances the odds to 2.59 and deserves consideration.

Opta Stat

The Foxes have netted in their last nine Premier League away games; only once have they had a longer such run in the competition (12 between January-September 2016). The visitors are 4/11 to score this weekend.

RECOMMENDED BETS

Back both teams to score at 2.04