Claudio Ranieri returns to the scene of his greatest success

There will be an emotional return at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Italian coach Claudio Ranieri has made himself immortal at the Foxes and will return to the scene of his greatest success for the first time this weekend. Leicester and Watford face each other on matchday 13 of the English Premier League.

Ranieri returned to the Premier League a few weeks ago, taking over promoted Watford to guide them to a relegation place. Last weekend, the Hornets sealed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s exit and are brimming with confidence after an impressive 4-1 home win over the Red Devils. Leicester’s confidence is limited at the moment, as the season so far has been sub-optimal at best for Rodgers’ side. Regardless, Leicester are seen as clear favourites against Watford according to current betting odds.

After three consecutive winless league games, the pressure is starting to mount as Leicester currently sit a disappointing twelfth in the table. They need to start winning to stay in contention for the international places.

Leicester – Statistics & current form

Leicester showed no signs of letting up against the Polish champions on Thursday night and thanks to the win, Rodgers’ side took over the top spot in Group C of the UEFA Europa League. However, they still face a final play-off for progress on the final matchday, away at SSC Napoli.

Two home defeats in a row

For Leicester, it was their first home win in over a month, as the Foxes lost their last two league games in the Premier League (2-0 to Arsenal and 3-0 to Chelsea), failing to score. The last time Leicester conceded three home league defeats without scoring was in 1983.

To prevent this from happening, Rodgers’ side will once again rely on Jamie Vardy. The now 34-year-old attacker has scored in each of the last three home games against Watford. With seven goals to his name, he is once again the top scorer in Brendan Rodgers’ team. Accordingly, the lowest betting odds (around 2.00) are offered for the prediction of a Vardy goal for Leicester against Watford.

No goal in the first 30 minutes

The Foxes are definitely not a team that presses the accelerator from the start and takes command. Last season it was already clear to see that Rodgers’ eleven can improve as a game progresses. In 2020/21, Leicester scored no less than 23 goals in the last 15 minutes (ten conceded).

This season, too, five goals have been scored in the final quarter of an hour, four of them at home to the King Power Stadium. In contrast, Leicester have yet to score a single home goal in the first 30 minutes. A late goal, at the bookmaker we tested Bet365 the bet “goal after 76:59 minutes” is offered, is quite obvious with Leicester.

Predicted Leicester line-up:
Schmeichel – Evans, Söyüncü, Amartey – Castagne, Soumare, Ndidi, Albrighton – Maddison, Barnes – Vardy

Last matches played by Leicester:

Europa League Grp. C
11/25 2021 – Leicester 3 – 1 Legia Warsaw

Premier League
11/20 2021 – Leicester 0 – 3 Chelsea London

11/07 2021 – Leeds 1 – 1 Leicester

Europa League Grp. C
11/04 2021 Leicester 1 – 1 Spartak Moscow

Premier League
10/30 2021 – Leicester 0 – 2 Arsenal London

Watford – Statistics & current form

What a fast-moving business football is, Xisco Munoz had to learn when he was forced to vacate his chair despite promotion and seven points from the first seven Premier League games. Under successor Ranieri, the Hornets, Sir Elton John’s favourite club, have so far collected six points in five games.

First goal equals victory

The first goal is often referred to as the “can opener”. Watford have only been able to score this enormously important goal three times this season and in each of these games the promoted team managed a victory.

Last weekend, for the second time this season, Watford scored against a much higher-ranked team. After the 5:2 against Everton, Watford celebrated an impressive 4:1 victory against Manchester United. Once again, Emmanuel Dennis presented himself in captivating form. In the spring of 2021, he was still the big disappointment at 1. FC Köln (nine appearances, no goal), but now he is blossoming in England. He has already collected nine scorer points (four goals, five assists) this season.

16 goals in five different games

Watford’s offence has been on fire for 16 goals so far this season. All of the promoted side’s goals have been scored inside the penalty area, only Crystal Palace have scored inside the 16 more often without a long-range goal (18). Of particular note for the Hornets, however, is the fact that these 16 goals have been scored in just five games.

In fact, Watford failed to score in seven of the twelve games so far this season. But when the ball finds its way into the goal, the spell is broken. Once five goals, once four goals, twice three goals and once one goal was scored. This also means that in all games with an over 2.5 (five games), the over 3.5 was also correct. For Leicester vs Watford, odds of up to 2.80 are offered for this prediction.

Predicted Watford line-up:
Foster – Masina, N’Koulou, Cathcart, Femenia – Sissoko – King, Cleverley, Louza, Sarr – Dennis

Last matches played by Watford:

Premier League
11/20 2021 – Watford 4 – 1 Manchester United

11/07 2021 – Arsenal London 1 – 0 Watford

10/30 2021 – Watford 0 – 1 Southampton

10/23 2021 – Everton 2 – 5 Watford

10/16 2021 – Watford 0 – 5 Liverpool FC

Leicester – Watford Direct Comparison / H2H Balance

Of the last twelve league home games against Watford, Leicester have lost just one (April 2013 in the Championship). This compares to no less than nine wins and two draws. The last five games in particular have been clear-cut, with Leicester winning them all and boasting an impressive 11:1 goal difference.

A goal for Vardy & Co is almost guaranteed in this match on Sunday afternoon. The teams have faced each other 20 times in England’s top flight, with Leicester scoring at least once in every game.

Leicester – Watford Tip

Even before the game, there will be a goosebump moment on Sunday afternoon. The home fans will surely give their former champion coach an unforgettable reception. After kick-off, however, no more hospitality may be handed out, because gradually the pressure on the home side will increase.

A home win is almost a must if they are to keep up with the leaders. Odds of just under 1.70 are offered for this bet between Leicester and Watford.

Despite Watford’s emphatic 4-1 win over the Red Devils last weekend, Leicester are certainly a bit stronger than the home side in terms of quality. Brendan Rodgers was able to give some of his regular players a break in the Europa League, so the double burden should not play too big a role.

Watford have gone to both extremes this season. Either a gala performance follows or the team is far from winning a point. That’s why the prediction between Leicester and Watford is also targeted at good odds on the handicap win. Five units are used as a betting recommendation for this.

A detailed look at the most recent duels between the two teams provides another interesting betting opportunity for the Leicester vs Watford clash. In four of the last five league games, a goal was scored in injury time. With these statistics, betting on a late goal (from minute 76:59) is a good option.