Brendan Rodgers has called for his Leicester players to show “bravery” this weekend, though a date with high-flying Tottenham should have knees knocking in the Foxes’ ranks. Antonio Conte’s charges have yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this term and Spurs are favourites to beat bottom club Leicester for the fourth time in a row on Saturday evening.
Below, we’ve compiled a set of statistics bursting with info about shots, cards, fouls, corners and more that can be used to make more informed bet builder selections on Saturday.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham were beaten unexpectedly at Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, though Antonio Conte is unlikely to ring the changes on Saturday despite their setback.
Spurs should line up in the Italian’s favoured 3-4-3 shape with Heung-min Son, Harry Kane and summer signing Richarlison in cahoots up front.
Father time finally seems to be catching up with Jamie Vardy and Brendan Rodgers could be tempted to stick with Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho in attack this weekend.
Rodgers must also decide whether to field the versatile Wilfred Ndidi in defence or midfield in North London. Ndidi struggled at centre-half when City were battered 5-2 at Brighton last time out.
Team Stats
Only North London rivals Arsenal (16) have pocketed more Premier League points than Tottenham this season (14) and Spurs’ underlying numbers throw up some impressive trends to complement their strong start.
Tottenham are posting healthy goals (2.00) and xG (2.06) for p/90 figures, while their shots on target figure (5.83) is over twice as weighty as their shots on target against tally per 90 minutes (2.67) at the other end.
Leicester have been surprisingly limp this term and the Foxes are badly in need of a major shake-up in terms of ideas and personnel.
Only Bournemouth are conceding more goals per 90 than City (2.67), while Leicester are also in the red for xG (1.60 against), shots on target (4.33 against) and corners (5.50).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
Ryan Sessegnon (1.85) is still the unanticipated leader for shots on target p/90 for Tottenham, however, with Harry Kane (1.71) gaining ground and the wingback seemingly replaced as first-choice by Ivan Perisic, we don’t expect his position to last.
Heung-Min Son (1.47 SOT p/90) is doing all the right things without a suitable reward in the final third, while £60m signing Richarlison (3.16 shots) is starting to make a splash in the capital.
With Jamie Vardy’s performances so desperately damp, the attacking onus has fallen on Leicester’s midfielders for the most part with Harvey Barnes (2.70 shots p/90) and James Maddison (2.60) trying their best to produce match-defining moments.
Patson Daka (1.08 SOT) and Kelechi Iheanacho (3.99 shots) have started just once in the Premier League this season, though they’ve both made an impact when handed opportunities to shine.
Player Goals and Assists
Harry Kane has re-established his top dog status early at Tottenham this season and the 29-year-old has already bagged five Premier League goals for his boyhood club.
Richarlison and Heung-min Son – who scored 33 Premier League goals between them last term – have yet to get off the mark domestically in 2022/23.
James Maddison has provided three goal contributions (2G, 1A) for Leicester, while Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho have notched one goal and one assist each so far.
Six different players have rattled the net overall for Leicester, who despite their position at the foot of the table, have scored more often than nine teams in the division (8).
Tottenham Hotspur Cards
Yves Bissouma tops the rankings at Spurs for fouls (2.31) and cards (2) per 90 this season, though the midfielder’s recklessness is perhaps the reason why he is struggling to hold down a regular place.
First-choice midfield duo Rodrigo Bentancur (1.88 fouls p/90) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (1.83) also commit their share of indiscretions, though they are both better in possession than Bissouma.
It doesn’t take much for James Maddison (fouled 3.40 p/90) to hit the deck, especially in areas where he can line up efforts on goal from free kicks, while Harvey Barnes (2.42) is a common target for defenders when he cuts in to shoot from the left.
Youri Tielemens (1.52) has been sub-par this season, though he still draws plenty of unwanted attention from opposing midfielders. Watch out for Tielemans when he comes in contact with Hojbjerg in particular. The Dane will also need to offer assistance down his side against Barnes.
Match-Ups to watch
Rodrigo Bentancur vs James Maddison
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg vs Youri Tielemans
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg vs Harvey Barnes
Leicester City Cards
James Maddison (2 bookings) isn’t exactly a hatchet man, though he is prone to flashes of frustration when things are going against him.
Youri Tielemans (1.30 fouls p/90) has an often-ignored combative side to his character, while Patson Daka tackles like a striker and has been awkwardly hindering opponents 1.67 times per 90 minutes.
Richarlison has been fouled 1.58 times per 90 this season and the Brazilian tends to bring the worst out in all of the markers he faces. The 25-year-old could attach himself to the relatively inexperienced Luke Thomas on Saturday.
Emerson (1.53) provides thrust from deep down the Tottenham right and his advances have lured opponents into numerous fouls. Daka could be under orders to drift in Emerson’s direction when Leicester don’t have the ball, so watch out for his blundering tackle attempts. Similarly, James Maddison should be tracked by cards bettors when he drops into midfield to disrupt Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s rhythm.
Match-Ups to watch
James Maddison vs Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Luke Thomas vs Richarlison
Patson Daka vs Emerson
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And that’s a wrap. Let’s see some winning bet builders from that. Good luck and gamble responsibly.
