Can the Magpies extend their lead over the relegation places?
A few months ago, Newcastle United staying in the relegation places would have been almost unthinkable. In the meantime, however, the tide has turned for the Magpies and a stay in the English top flight has become quite realistic for the newly rich Saudi club. Seven matchdays before the end of the season, Newcastle have a nine-point lead over the relegation places.
Staying in the relegation zone is within reach for Newcastle United. Nevertheless, the season’s final spurt remains exciting, especially as the points cushion could shrink to six points in a worst-case scenario. Relegation rivals Burnley FC have one game less on their books than the Magpies. Newcastle have a league game against Leicester on Sunday
With Newcastle vs Leicester, odds beyond the 3.00 mark are offered for tip 2. The Foxes have already rolled over the Magpies 4-0 in the first leg of the current season, marking their fifth win in their last six competitive games with Newcastle United. Another win cannot be ruled out on Easter Sunday.
Newcastle – Statistics & current form
Newcastle United have not yet secured their place in the league, but with their current lead over the red zone, the Magpies have the best chance of staying in the English top flight. The win against Wolves was particularly important. After all, Newcastle took advantage of their rivals’ loss of points and extended their lead.
After three defeats in a row, the win against Wolverhampton was balm for the Magpies’ soul. At home, the Black and Whites will be looking to bag the next three points, building on the recent momentum of their current winning streak at St James’ Park. Newcastle have yet to lose a single home game this calendar year.
In fact, they have won four in a row, including the most recent match against Wolves. If Newcastle vs Leicester win their fifth game in a row, odds of 2.25 are paid out for tip 1.
Is Leicester a fearful opponent of Newcastle United?
Betting on a Magpies win is nevertheless risky. Newcastle United have lost nine of their last twelve matches against Leicester City in the league. Newcastle, on the other hand, have only won three times. At St. James’ Park, they even suffered five home defeats in a row against the Foxes in the Premier League.
The last time Newcastle scored at St James’ Park was against Leicester City in October 2014. In their current form, however, head coach Eddie Howe’s squad are confident going into Sunday’s game against the Foxes.
However, the 44-year-old will have to do without several players due to injury. A total of six players are currently on the Magpies’ medical list. Compared to the starting eleven that picked up a win against Wolves last week, the Black and Whites are not expected to make any major changes.
Predicted Newcastle line-up:
Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Shelvey, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin
Last matches played by Newcastle:
Premier League
17/04/2022 – Newcastle United 2 – 1 Leicester
09/04/2022 – Newcastle United 1 – 0 Wolverhampton
03/04/2022 – Tottenham 5 – 1 Newcastle United
18/03/2022 – Everton 1 – 0 Newcastle United
13/03/2022 – Chelsea FC 1 – 0 Newcastle United
Leicester – Statistics & current form
Leicester currently sit ninth in the Premier League with 40 points from 29 league games. Because the Foxes, unlike their rivals, still have some catch-up games to play, there are still realistic chances of finishing the 2021/22 season with an international starting berth.
For that to happen, Leicester must continue their recent winning streak. In the best possible scenario – three wins in three games – the gap to sixth-placed WHU can be minimised to two points. Leicester have recently gone unbeaten in the league three times in a row. Three points against Brentford and Crystal Palace, and a draw against Man Utd.
Against Newcastle United, Leicester will be aiming for another point. The recent record against the Magpies is encouraging. Leicester have won four of their last five competitive matches against Newcastle. In the first leg of the current season, there was even an emphatic 4-0 win against the newly rich Saudi club.
Will Leicester take the recent momentum with them?
When you consider how strong the Foxes have been in recent weeks, it stands to reason that at least a point beckons at the Magpies this time too. During the week, head coach Brendan Rodgers’ team secured a place in the semi-finals of the newly introduced UEFA Conference League.
After the first and second legs, the Foxes recorded an aggregate score of 2-1 against PSV Eindhoven. This is the first time Leicester have reached a UEFA Cup semi-final and – at least given the field of participants – they have a realistic chance of their first international title coup.
Despite the double burden, a similar starting eleven to the one used in the match against PSV is likely against Sunday’s opponents from Newcastle. Rodgers is currently still without five players through injury, including star striker Jamie Vardy.
Predicted Leicester line-up:
Schmeichel; Justin, Fofana, Söyuncü, Thomas; Dewsbury-Hall, Soumare; Lookman, Maddison, Barnes; Daka
Last matches played by Leicester:
Premier League
17/04/2022 – Newcastle United 2 – 1 Leicester
European Conference League Final Stage
14/04/2022 – PSV Eindhoven 1 – 2 Leicester
Premier League
10/04/2022 – Leicester 2 – 1 Crystal Palace
European Conference League Final Stage
08/04/2022 – Leicester 0 – 0 PSV Eindhoven
Premier League
02/04/2022 – Manchester United 1 – 1 Leicester
Newcastle – Leicester Direct comparison / H2H record
Competitively, this is the 130th match between the two clubs. Newcastle currently lead the head-to-head comparison against Leicester City with a record of 53-27-48. Only one of their 53 wins have come in their last five matches with the Foxes. The Magpies’ record should therefore not be overrated with regard to Sunday’s match.
Especially as the Saudi club have lost their last five home games against Leicester in the league anyway. Added to this is the abysmal record in Sunday matches this season. The Magpies have failed to pick up a point in six of the seven Sunday matches Newcastle have played in the current PL season.
Newcastle – Leicester Tip
The Magpies are still in the fight to stay in the league and are dependent on every point in the current table situation. The recent win against Wolves was therefore all the more important, as it not only ended Newcastle’s current losing streak, but also extended their lead over the relegation places.
Against Sunday’s opponents Leicester City, the black and whites from Newcastle are now aiming for the next points. However, the match against the Foxes will be a real acid test for the Magpies. Leicester have, after all, won their last five away games at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
Looking at the Foxes’ recent run of form, an away coup for Leicester cannot be ruled out this time either. Head coach Rodgers’ side have gone unbeaten five times in a row, including a point at Manchester United’s Old Trafford.
