Will the Foxes remain winless in their third group match?
In the last six years, a total of six English teams have been represented in the finals of the Europa League. Nevertheless, the island clubs have struggled enormously in the second most important European cup for club teams – especially in the group stage. The best example of this this season is Leicester City.
The Foxes got off to a false start in the Europa League and are bottom of Group C after two match days. This week, Leicester City have a tough away game at Spartak Moscow on their agenda. The next setback for the islanders may be looming in the Russian capital.
The hosts from Moscow are by no means to be underestimated. They already scored an away coup against SSC Napoli before the international break. It is quite possible that the Muscovites will now also score against the English representatives.
A minimal point against Leicester City would be a small sense of achievement for the Russians. Betting fans who are even leaning towards a win for Spartak Moscow against Leicester City can pick up odds of 4.55 on the home side.
Spartak Moscow – Statistics & current form
Last season, Spartak Moscow were runners-up in the Russian top flight, but in the summer they were plunged into chaos. Internal unrest – starting with the club owner & Co. – ensured that not only ex-S04 coach Domenico Tedesco left the team, but also sporting director Dmitri Popov.
It was therefore not at all surprising that Spartak Moscow failed to qualify for the premier league in the summer due to a lack of investment. In addition, last season’s runners-up got off to a bad start in the Russian Premier League. It was only in the last few weeks that Spartak Moscow found its way back to success.
Before the international break, the Red and Whites even won three matches in a row for the first time under new head coach Rui Vitória. Among other things, Spartak Moscow also beat SSC Napoli in the Europa League. Away from home, the Italians gave them a narrow away win (3:2) and thus their first points in Group C.
Will recent form be backed up against Leicester?
Ahead of their third group game against the Foxes from Leicester, Spartak Moscow drew points in their dress rehearsal in the Premier League. The draw in the city derby against Dynamo Moscow was commendable, as Spartak fought their way back into the game in the closing stages and overturned a 2-0 deficit within three minutes.
The derby in the league was definitely exhausting. It therefore remains to be seen in what physical condition Spartak Moscow will be when they face Leicester City on Wednesday. With a record of 9-3-7 against English clubs on the international stage, Spartak Moscow vs. Leicester will pay attractive odds if they can secure a tenth win against a club from the island.
Head coach Rui Vitória will have to do without a total of five players for the home match against the English guests due to injury. In addition, the controversial new summer signing Caufriez will not be available. In the last group match, the Belgian was sent off.
Predicted line-up of Spartak Moscow:
Maksimenko; Dzhikiya, Gigot, Kutepov; Moses, Zobnin, Umyarov, Lucas; Larsson, Sobolev, Bakaev
Last matches played by Spartak Moscow:
Leicester – Statistics & current form
Before the international break, Leicester City were still battling an ongoing form crisis, so the recent home win against Manchester United was all the more important. For the first time since the third matchday in the Premier League, the Foxes were able to score three points and climbed to eleventh place in the table.
Leicester City currently have a record of 3-2-3 after eight matchdays in the English top flight. By comparison, last season there were six wins and only three defeats on the first eight matchdays, which meant that the Foxes were even leading the table for a while.
As in the domestic league, Leicester also got off to a bad start on the international stage. In the group stage of this year’s Europa League, the team of head coach Brendan Rodgers has only managed one point on the first two match days. Most recently, Leicester even suffered a defeat against the supposed group outsiders from Warsaw.
European Cup only secondary for Leicester?
Good possibility that the next setback in the Europa League will now follow this week. After all, the second most important European Cup has no special significance for English clubs. Some of the top performers are even spared for the adventure in the Premier League during the group stage, while some of the second-string players are used in the European Cup.
Because Leicester City are well-staffed across the board, Brendan Rodgers has plenty of room for rotation in the Europa League. It therefore remains to be seen which players from the recent home win against Manchester United will also be used on the international stage. After all, there is still the difficult league match against the in-form promoted Brentford FC to come this weekend.
Compared to last week, the injury list for the Foxes remains largely unchanged. Rodgers Fofana, Ndidi, Justin and probably Evans are not available at the moment. If the Foxes prevail in the Russian capital, odds of 1.86 are being paid out for a bet on the English visitors at Spartak Moscow vs. Leicester.
Predicted Leicester line-up:
Schmeichel; Amartey, Soyuncu, Vestergaard; Pereira, Soumare, Tielemans, Castagne; Perez; Daka, Iheanacho
Last matches played by Leicester:
Spartak Moscow – Leicester Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
This is the first time the two clubs have met. For Leicester City it is even their first ever competitive match against a Russian representative.
Spartak Moscow – Leicester Tip
In contrast to the visitors from Leicester, who start the third group match in the Europa League with the best possible line-up, Spartak Moscow have to deal with some personnel problems. In addition, the Russian representatives had to play an exhausting derby last weekend.
Leicester City, on the other hand, ended their form crisis after the international break and celebrated an important victory in the Premier League. The Foxes won 4-2 at home against Manchester United and flexed their offensive muscles. If they can build on that, three points at Spartak are also a distinct possibility.
We expect an attacking match in Moscow, where it is probably only a matter of time before the three-goal mark is broken. With a stake of five units, we dare to bet on Spartak Moscow vs. Leicester at good odds on over 2.5 goals in the match.
