This is what we call the the undercard to the heavyweight fight this weekend. Third place Leicester City who have amassed 23 points this season, host fifth place Arsenal, who have accrued 17. Normally, this would be the biggest match of the weekend, but there is that whole little Liverpool at Manchester City thing going on the very next day.
A win here for the Foxes, plus a loss for City would actually see Leicester leapfrogging the reigning champions into second place in the table, as we head into the next international break. Given the road woes of the Gunners this season, that first part certainly seems likely. Let’s take a look at the team news, starting first with the visitors.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka has been stripped of his captaincy, and there is already widespread talk that he will be transferred out this January. He could be sat for this match, and one wonders how many times he’ll actually appear in an Arsenal shirt again.
The only other Arsenal absentee is Reiss Nelson, who is still recovering from injury. For Leicester City, Matty James remains a long term injury absentee; otherwise Brendan Rodgers has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Arsenal FC at Leicester City FYIs
Kickoff: Saturday Nov 9, 5:30 BST, King Power Stadium
Odds via Betway: Leicester City 21/20 Draw 11/4 Arsenal 12/5
Starting XI Predictions for both teams: go to this link
Google Result Probability: Arsenal FC 27%, Draw 26%, Leicester City 47%
Form Guide: Leicester City- WWWLW Arsenal- DDLWD
Prediction: Leicester City 3, Arsenal 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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