Defending champions with a must-win task!
With Leicester against Watford, a duel between two first division teams in the third round of the FA Cup takes place. Both teams are only now entering the competition and the home side start as defending champions. Their victory in last year’s final against Chelsea was their first triumph in the FA Cup. However, the hosts have been fickle in the Premier League this season.
Seven wins and defeats and four draws are only a balanced record, which is why it is only enough for tenth place in the table. The guests, on the other hand, are in much worse shape.
In league play, the last six games were lost! For the match at the King Power Stadium between Leicester and Watford, a home win with at least a two-goal difference is worth considering.
Leicester – Statistics & current form
The Foxes have not played a match since the end of December, but the last match they played was accompanied by an impressive victory. After all, the third-placed team in the table, Liverpool, was defeated. The Reds had only lost once before this season.
Nevertheless, coach Brendan Rodgers cannot be satisfied with the performance of his team this season, as described at the beginning. For a better position in the Premier League, there is simply a lack of the necessary consistency. Leicester were also not convincing in the Europa League.
In the end, they only managed third place, which is why they now find themselves in the European lowlands of the Conference League. On top of that, they suffered a defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the League Cup just before Christmas.
Tielemans is back on board
Admittedly, Leicester were also hit by injury woes in the first half of the season, with Youri Tielemans, a key defender and creative forward, missing for a spell.
The scorer of the decisive goal in the last FA Cup final is now back in the squad, although he was only on the pitch for 35 minutes in the recent win against LFC. However, the win over coach Jürgen Klopp’s side has undoubtedly given the home side’s battered confidence a new boost.
Foxes with improved home record
In addition, the home side can rely on their regained home strength: The past three home games in league play were all won. Especially the offensive has improved in this review: This can be seen in the fact that nine of the 16 goals scored so far this season were scored in front of the home crowd in these three games.
In view of this, the odds on Leicester scoring more than one goal in their clash with Watford are even more interesting for the three-time League Cup winners, the last time being 22 years ago. Likewise, the odds on a goal by the hosts in both halves of the game are also interesting.
Predicted Leicester line-up:
Schmeichel – Thomas – Ndidi – Amartey – Castagne – Choudhury – Soumare – Dewsbury-Hall – Maddison – Iheanacho – Vardy
Last matches played by Leicester:
Premier League
12/28 2021 – Leicester 1 – 0 Liverpool FC
12/26 2021 – Manchester City 6 – 3 Leicester
Carabao Cup
12/22 2021 – Liverpool FC (5)3 – 3(4) Leicester
Premier League
12/12 2021 – Leicester 4 – 0 Newcastle United
Europa League Grp. C
12/09 2021 – SSC Napoli 3 – 2 Leicester
Watford – Statistics & current form
For Hornets coach Claudio Ranieri, of course, the visits to Leicester are always emotional. After all, he returns to the site of one of his greatest successes in these games, having won the Championship as manager of the Foxes in 2016. At the moment, however, he has far less reason to celebrate in that capacity at Watford.
In the Premier League, the promoted team from the Championship only occupies fourth-last place after, as described, six defeats in a row. Nothing more than a relegation battle is on the horizon for the Ranieri eleven.
Hornets concede numerous goals
The kickers from the Colne and Gade have been particularly weak defensively of late, conceding 14 goals in their past six defeats. A negative factor in this context is that Ben Foster, the regular keeper of the footballers from Vicarage Road, has to miss out due to injury.
In addition, several players such as Christian Kabasele and Kibo are missing from the Golden Boys’ defence.
Dennis will not travel to the Africa Cup
Available, however, is Emmanuel Dennis in attack. The Nigerian will not feature at the Africa Cup due to what is believed to be a late recall by the Nigeria Football Federation. The former Brugge and 1 FC Köln striker has been in fine form for Watford of late, scoring in six of his past nine appearances!
Predicted line-up of Watford:
Bachmann – Troost-Ekong – Sierralta – Masina – Cathcart – Kucka – Louza – Sissoko – Sema – Dennis – King
Last matches played by Watford:
Premier League
01/01 2022 – Watford 0 – 1 Tottenham
12/28 2021 – Watford 1 – 4 West Ham
12/10 2021 – Brentford 2 – 1 Watford
12/04 2021 – Watford 1 – 3 Manchester City
12/01 2021 – Watford 1 – 2 Chelsea London
Leicester – Watford Direct Comparison / H2H Record
The last direct encounter took place last November and the Foxes prevailed 4-2 on their own ground. Thanks to the victory, the Hornets have already waited for three duels for the next success (0-1-2). Another bitter point for the Yellow Army is their away record.
since April 2013, with six defeats and at least one defeat at home to Leicester.
Instead, there have been six defeats and at least one draw. Not a new pattern, as a further review of the last 32 years reveals a total of just three away wins (3-5-15).
Leicester – Watford Tip
The home side have had a game off recently due to a match cancellation, but the coming days have it all. Leicester have to play in the Premier League again on 11 January, as they have a catch-up game against Everton on the schedule. For the match between Leicester and Watford, the forecast includes a home win with at least a two-goal difference.
The reigning Super Cup winners’ attack has picked up considerably in recent home games, scoring an average of three goals in their past three home matches.
In addition, the upcoming opponent suits the Foxes: the past six home games against the Hornets have been won consistently and only one not by more than two goals in difference. Unibet offers betting odds of 2.70 on the Leicester-Watford clash
