Can Arsenal keep up the momentum?
With the Foxes, a recent welcome guest travels to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have won their last three matches against Brendan Rodgers’ side. They have scored seven goals and conceded just one. With another win, they could make it four games in a row against Leicester for the first time since 2000.
The Foxes, on the other hand, will be going all out to end this negative streak. After an unfortunate start to the league, in which they led 2-0 against Brentford before only picking up a point, Vardy and Co. are eager for their first win of the season.
The bookmakers place all predictions on Arsenal vs. Leicester according to the above mentioned statistics. Accordingly, the hosts go into the race as clear favourites. A bet on a home win is rewarded with odds around 1.50 and thus does not offer too much value. Looking at the first game of the season and especially the preparation of the Gunners, a logical calculation.
Arsenal – Statistics & current form
Getting a win at the start of a season was no great surprise for Arsenal as the top team in the league. Nevertheless, the win should be encouraging, as in the last six seasons Arsenal have only won three times at the start of the season and have been defeated three times. Now, however, the Gunners have a record to match that they have not achieved for 50 years. With another win to nil, Arteta’s side could record two consecutive victories to start a season without conceding a goal for the first time since 1971.
All eyes on Gabriel Jesus
In a total of seven Premier League games played by Gabriel Jesus in a Manchester City shirt, the Brazilian scored five times against the Foxes. Only against Watford (6) and Everton (8) did the 25-year-old score more goals. After an outstanding preparation, in which he directly advanced to the top scorer of the Londoners, he is still waiting for his first competitive goal in the red shirt. The first home game should provide the perfect opportunity.
Another player who will be in focus is Gabriel Martinelli. The speedy winger has scored five points in his last five Premier League games from the start (two goals, three assists). He opened the season with his goal against Crystal Palace to make it 1-0. With another starting appearance and a goal, he could add three goals in a row for the first time. Given the huge individual quality on both sides, bookmakers are offering comparatively low odds on bets aiming for plenty of goals in Arsenal vs Leicester.
August at the Emirates – not a good omen of late
Much speaks in favour of the home side given the current form curves. However, a look at the following statistics offers reason for doubt: six of the last twelve league home games in August ended without a points haul for Arsenal.
In terms of personnel, we don’t see too many reasons for changes given the solid performance in the first game of the season at Crystal Palace and therefore assume that the Spanish manager will send the same eleven into the race.
Predicted Arsenal line-up:
Ramsdale – Zinchenko – Gabriel – Saliba – White – Thomas – Xhaka – Martinelli – Ödegaard – Saka – Jesus
Last matches played by Arsenal:
Premier League
06/08/2022 – Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Arsenal FC
Friendly club matches
30/07/2022 – Arsenal FC 6 – 0 Sevilla FC
24/07/2022 – Arsenal FC 4 – 0 Chelsea FC
21/07/2022 – Orlando City 1 – 3 Arsenal FC
17/07/2022 – Everton 0 – 2 Arsenal FC
Leicester – Statistics & current form
The English sensation champions from the 2015/16 season can possibly think of a more pleasant opponent than the Gunners for matchday two. The Foxes have won just one of their last 25 away games against Arsenal. 20 games were lost and four ended in draws. After all, that one win dates back to the 20/21 first leg, so it’s not all that long ago.
Never actually zero away from home
The Foxes are usually not really solid away from home at the King Power Stadium. Of the last 26 away games, they have only managed to keep a clean sheet once. This dates back to March 2022 against Burnley, who have since been relegated. The last time they went without conceding a goal in front of their opponents and against a current Premier League team was in February 2021, so there is a lot to be said for Arsenal scoring. Accordingly, the predictions for Arsenal vs. Leicester point to a home win on the one hand and a high-scoring game on the other.
Another reason for doubt from the Foxes’ point of view is that only Southampton and Newcastle have dropped more points than Leicester since the start of last season. A full 23 points were conceded after leading. Fittingly, the opening game against Brentford last weekend saw Rodgers’ side let a 2-0 lead slip and the game ended 2-2.
Vardy likes to score against Arsenal
The Foxes should take heart from the fact that only Harry Kane, with 13 goals, and Wayne Rooney, with 12, have scored more against Arsenal than Jamie Vardy, who is on 11. The truth is, however, that he has not scored in either of the last two meetings with Arsenal.
Apart from Vardy, the much-courted James Maddison is in the limelight. In the internal club scorers’ list, he ranks fourth with his 57 scoring points behind Muzzy Izzet with 59, Riyad Mahrez with 66 and Jamie Vardy with 174. Second place should be the target within the current season. Despite everything, a point win for the visitors at Arsenal vs. Leicester would be a success. The odds clearly point to an Arsenal home win.
Predicted Leicester line-up:
Ward – Fofana – Evans – Amartey – Castagne – Drewsbury-Hall – Ndidi – Tielemans – Justin – Maddison – Vardy
Last matches played by Leicester:
Premier League
07/08/2022 – Leicester 2 – 2 Brentford
Friendly club matches
31/07/2022 – Leicester 1 – 0 Sevilla FC
23/07/2022 – Preston 1 – 2 Leicester
23/07/2022 – Derby 1 – 3 Leicester
21/07/2022 – Hull 0 – 4 Leicester
Arsenal – Leicester Direct Comparison / H2H Record
108 matches have been played in the highest English division. With 53 wins, 33 draws and 22 defeats, Arsenal lead the direct comparison. As already mentioned, the most recent three direct duels have all gone to the Londoners. The Foxes’ poor away record in the borough of Islington makes the task even more difficult.
Arsenal – Leicester Tip
Arsenal made a very mature impression in their opener against Crystal Palace. Compact at the back and dangerous going forward as usual. Also, the last two pre-season results against Leicester were both 2-0 wins. In order to get back into the top four and thus qualify for the top flight, the home games in particular are enormously important. In this respect, however, the Gunners were able to deliver good numbers last season and ended up being the third best home team in the league.
Leicester travel as one of the weakest away teams in the league. 21/22 they finished 15th in the away table, picking up just 18 points in 19 games. To finish in the top seven again, a clear improvement is needed here.
The odds on Arsenal vs. Leicester favour a home win for the Gunners on the one hand. On the other hand, the bookmakers assume that many goals will be scored in this match. We bet five units that both teams will score at least one goal
