Leicester Tips
A win over Leeds and a spectacular Champions League comeback against Borussia Dortmund suggest Chelsea might have finally turned a corner under Graham Potter.
The midweek performance was the best of the Potter era at Stamford Bridge, a sign of the team taking a step in the right direction (even if they required some fortune through the controversially retaken penalty).
Chelsea are odds-on at 10/11 in Premier League betting to see off Leicester this weekend. The Foxes have lost three matches in a row to be sucked back into the congested relegation battle. Pressure is on Brendan Rodgers to again stunt a losing streak.
A switch to a back three has worked for Potter. Reece James and Ben Chilwell are the foundation of this team at its best, and the English duo are fit at the same time.
Enzo Fernandez has provided a midfield presence which was lacking, while Kai Havertz has shown flashes of being the modern number nine they need. Raheem Sterling, too, was back looking like himself on Tuesday.
From Leicester’s perspective, they will count themselves unlucky to be facing Chelsea when they have suddenly shown signs of improvement. Rodgers’ side, though, have a lot to prove regardless of the opposition.
Only Southampton have accumulated fewer points at home in 2022-23. Just three teams have conceded more expected goals this season.
It might seem premature to have confidence in Chelsea. Perhaps this match is when they revert to their dire form of the last few months. The availability of the wing backs is crucial.
On the other hand, there is no doubting the quality in this squad or Potter’s managerial ability. The Blues are a good bet to win on the road here if they can get anywhere near their levels from the last two matches.
Bet On Leicester With 888Sport
Leicester became one of the biggest stories in sports gambling history when they defied Premier League winner odds a few seasons ago.
What can we expect from the Foxes in 2022-23? Delve into 888Sport’s markets for various Leicester City odds.
Leicester Club History
Founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse, the history of this football club is not stacked with silverware and glamour.
Some big names have pulled on the Leicester jersey, including Gordon Banks and Les Ferdinand, but the Foxes have spent the majority of their existence going between the first and second tiers.
Between a few relegations from the topflight in the 1990s and early 2000s, Leicester enjoyed what was then their most significant successes, lifting the League Cup in 1997 and 2000.
Two UEFA Cup jaunts were the reward, which were just their second and third appearances in continental competition after featuring in the Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1960s.
Perhaps their lowest ebb came in 2007-08 when they dropped into League One. Fortunately, the club bounced back at the first time of asking, powered by a prolific season from Matty Fryatt.
A couple of Championship playoff efforts followed in the next four seasons before topping the division in 2013-14.
Pulling off a remarkable escape to avoid the drop in the following season, Claudio Ranieri was appointed for 2015-16 and orchestrated one of sport’s all-time shocks.
With a foundation of the no-nonsense defensive play of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth paired with brilliance of N’Golo Kante, creativity of Riyad Mahrez and goal scoring punch of Jamie Vardy, Leicester stormed to the Premier League title.
The following season brought a first Champions League adventure, which came to an end at the quarter-final stage.
Under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers, and despite having to revamp the squad, Leicester have become a fixture in the top half of the Premier League, clocking five consecutive top half finishes, including a pair of fifth-place efforts.
Leicester Honours List
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Premier League – 2015-16
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Second Division/Championship – 1924-25, 1936-37, 1953-54, 1956-57, 1970-71, 1979-80, 2013-14
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FA Cup – 2020-21
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League Cup – 1963-64, 1996-97, 1999-2000
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Community Shield – 1971, 2021
Leicester Competitions This Season
Leicester’s bread and butter is competing in Premier League betting. Aside from the week-to-week grind of league action, the Foxes also have the EFL Cup and FA Cup in 2022-23.
This is the first campaign since 2019-20 that Leicester are not involved in continental competition after exiting the Europa Conference League at the semi-final stage in 2021-22.
A Happy New Year to all in the Blue Army! 🦊 💙
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 1, 2023
Wishing everyone the very best for 2023 🎊 pic.twitter.com/66idWgg7p9
Into the quarter-finals of the League Cup for a fifth time in six seasons, Leicester take on Newcastle in the last eight on January 10th.
Their FA Cup campaign kicks off away to Gillingham three days prior. They fell at the fourth round in the world’s oldest club competition last season after beating Chelsea in the final to lift the trophy in 2020-21.
After a slow start to the Premier League predictions season, Leicester’s focus is on pulling away from the relegation zone in 2023. They have accumulated 52 or more points in each of the last four league campaigns.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 3rd January 2023
