Leicester v Tottenham: Expect goals and a Spurs win

Leicester v Tottenham
Saturday, 19:45
BT Sport 1

Saturday Night Football returns this weekend following the teatime showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Leicester v Spurs could have a feel of after the Lord Mayor's Show about it, but these are two entertaining sides and history suggests it will be worth watching.

The last meeting of the pair produced nine goals, Spurs winning 5-4 on the final day of last season, while there was also a 6-1 success for them at the King Power Stadium not so long ago. In fact, since Leicester's return to the top flight in 2014, the eight games between them have produced no fewer than 34 goals, with both teams scoring in seven of those meetings.

Beaten by the best

Leicester come into this one unbeaten in seven in all competitions. They have conceded only three times in that run, although it fair to say it hasn't been the toughest - all of those opponents are currently 10th or below in the table.

That is significant because when you look at their results against the best sides in the division, it doesn't make for good reading.

Against the top eight, the Foxes have shipped two against Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton, three v Arsenal and four at Bournemouth. All five games have been lost.

On a more positive note, attack has been a strength with only one side (Burnley) keeping them out.

Leicester failed to beat bottom club Fulham on Wednesday and Claude Puel's post-match comments suggested both that changes were on the cards and that this could be something of a struggle for his side.

"Their (Tottenham's) players have the habit to play international games and Premier League games and I think they can manage," he said when asked about the busy schedule.

"They have a big squad to find a solution while it is more difficult for us to put in place the team. We'll see if we can recover some players before Saturday."

Foxhunter Kane

Like their hosts, Spurs have scored in every game bar one (v Man City).

They obviously have a magnificent goalscorer in Harry Kane and he will be relishing facing a team he's had more success against than any other.

In total, Kane has 13 career goals against the Foxes. When filtered down to the Premier League, he's netted 11 times in seven games. There will be worse 4/6 anytime scorer bets.

Having scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Southampton, Kane has notched in four of his last five in the league and six of his last nine in all competitions for his club.

Spurs are far from a one-man team, however. Son Hueng-min has notably been chipping in with goals again of late, as has Lucas Moura, while Christian Eriksen remains a vital midfield cog.

Things haven't looked so great at the other end of the pitch though, Arsenal cutting through them too easily last weekend, while struggling Southampton certainly had their chances in midweek.

With a massive Champions League game in Barcelona looming on Tuesday, who plays in this one is open to debate, although rarely is Kane rested.

Spurs tempting

Spurs can be backed at odds-against to win here which is certainly tempting, although it will potentially be more so once the team is known.

They have won 10 of 11 against sides outside the current top five, a statistic which adds appeal to their 2.02 price.

The home win can be backed at [4.0] with the draw offered at [3.75].

Goals look likely

Given that both teams to score stat I mentioned at the start, it's no surprise to see that option at 1.65. Two of the three cup ties the pair have played in the same period have also seen both teams net.

Over 2.5 goals is also fancied by the market at a slightly better 1.79 and I wouldn't put anyone off.

Side with Spurs

It is with that both-teams-to-score stat in mind that I'm going to back Spurs to win and BTTS at 3.80.

The table shows they are clearly the better side and as even Puel admits, they have the strength in depth to cope, even if some players are given the night off.

No team has won more points away from home than Spurs and they can bag three more here, although Leicester's strong attack can breach a defence which hasn't been at its best recently.

I'm also going to have a go on Tottenham in the HT/FT time market.

Spurs have led at half time in 10 of their 15 games, landing the Spurs/Spurs option in the market in nine of them.

Notably, Leicester have conceded 67% of their goals in the first half so clearly they aren't the best starters. Their defence will certainly be worried about facing Kane and if the visitors get ahead, they usually convert a lead into victory having done so 11 times out of 13 this season.

Same Game Multi

I'll keep things simple here by combining some of the elements I've already made a case for.

The away win with both teams scoring can be added to Harry Kane netting at any time - he has a strong history in this fixture, is in good form and takes penalties, of which Leicester have already conceded six this season.

The combination produces a price of [4.81].

Opta fact

None of Spurs' last 19 games in the Premier League has ended in a draw, with Mauricio Pochettino's side winning 14 of those.

RECOMMENDED BETS

1pt Spurs to win and both teams to score @ 3.8

1pt Spurs/Spurs in the HT/FT market @ 21/10 (Sportsbook)