Leicester City vs AFC Bournemouth
Date: 30/03/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: King Power Stadium
Referee: Lee Mason
Bournemouth travel to the King Power Stadium on Saturday in hope of reaching the ‘magical 40 point’ mark to ensure their safety for next seasons campaign.
Although the Cherries are probably safe, especially giving the fact there remains six teams below them still fighting the relegation battle, Eddie Howe has made it clear they are not safe yet but one more win should do it. Eddie Howe’s side were one minute away from reaching the 40 point mark when Matt Ritchie struck late to rescue a point for Newcastle last time out.
As mentioned, there is no real threat of Bournemouth being relegated this season and taking into account that they only play one of the top six and no side in the top 10 after Saturday; the Cherries should comfortably reach and possibly match/beat their best points total of 46 which they achieved during the 16/17 season.
As for the Foxes, they are far off their best Premier League finish yet they remain in the hunt for 7th place, which would have been the objective before the season started back in August. Despite losing his first game against Watford, since then Rodgers’ side have put in efficient performances against Fulham and Burnley to pick up six points.
Before the international break, the Foxes performed with 10 men almost all game and left it late to snatch three points from the hands of Burnley as Wes Morgan headed home. Despite both Watford and Wolves having a game in hand of Rodger’s men, they will be hoping to put the pressure on and pip them to the post come May.
Head to Head: This fixture is relatively uncommon in comparison to other Premier League sides with the two only meeting on 16 occasions. Leicester have been victorious on six occasions yet haven’t beaten the Cherries since 2014 when they done the double over them in the Championship. The Cherries have enjoyed five victories over their hosts with the two sharing five draws. Leicester have not actually beat Eddie Howe’s men in the Premier League and will be hoping to get revenge after their 4-2 loss in the reverse fixture this season.
Team News
Leicester City: The Foxes were highly praised during the international break with regards to the England u21 side who faced up against Poland and Germany during the break. At Ashton Gate vs Poland, the Foxes had five players on the field at the end of 90 minutes, albeit one loan player in Bartosz Kaputska. The remaining four in James Maddison, Demari Gray, Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury are all currently first-teamers at the King Power and will all likely be involved somewhat on Saturday with the former three probably starting from the off.
It also has to be remembered that Ben Chillwell, who enjoyed success for the senior side in their Euro 2020 qualifiers, is also eligible for the u21’s giving Leicester quite the roster of young players. Claude Puel has to be given credit for his belief in young players and Brendan Rodgers seemly has a similar outlook at giving young players the chance to feature.
The only main absentee for the Foxes come Saturday will be Harry Maguire after his sending off against Burnley last time out. Club captain Wes Morgan will likely be recalled alongside Jonny Evans, who helped Northern Ireland to two wins from two in their Euro qualifying group. The remainder of the squad will likely stay as it is with Marc Albrighton and Daniel Amartey the only two remaining on the sidelines with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. The former has returned to training this week and Rodgers is hopeful he will get some minutes between now and the end of the season, yet Saturday will come to soon.
AFC Bournemouth: Eddie Howe has quite the injury list to deal with as he brings his team north to the King Power on Saturday yet they are blessed with the possible return of Adam Smith, Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas who have all trained this week following respective injuries. Howe stated on Friday that he will likely make a late fitness call on the trio who could all play a part.
Steve Cook (groin), Simon Francis (knee) and Lewis Cook (knee) will remain on the sidelines and will be joined by Andrew Surman who after picking up a calf injury in training could see his season all but finished. Adam Smith has started every league game in which he has been available this term and if declared fit will likely replace one of Nathaniel Clyne or Charlie Daniels at full-back. Josh King picked up two goals in two games in Norway’s Euro 2020 qualifiers and will partner Callum Wilson upfront, the latter of which had minimal impact on England’s qualifiers so will be fit and raring to go come Saturday.
Match facts provided by the BBC
Leicester are vying for three consecutive Premier League home victories for the first time since May 2017, when they won their first five under Craig Shakespeare.
The Foxes are without a clean sheet in 10 league fixtures since a 1-0 win at Everton on New Year’s Day.
Jamie Vardy has scored five goals in six league games – one more than he had in his previous 16 appearances.
Brendan Rodgers has won all three of his matches as a manager against Bournemouth.
The Cherries could lose more than 11 league away fixtures in a season for the first time since 2007-08, which they ended with 13 defeats in the third tier.
Bournemouth are winless in the last 12 Premier League games in which they conceded a goal since beating Huddersfield 2-1 in December (D3, L9).
Eddie Howe has never won a league match away to Leicester in seven attempts during his managerial career (D4, L3)
Predicted Starting XIs
Leicester City (4-1-4-1): Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Morgan, Chilwell; Ndidi; Gray, Tielemens, Maddison, Barnes; Vardy
AFC Bournemouth (4-4-2): Boruc; Clyne, Mepham, Ake, A Smith; Brooks, Gosling, Lerma, Fraser; King, Wilson
Score Prediction: Leicester 3 AFC Bournemouth 1
Despite not being victorious over Bournemouth in the Premier League, Leicester are looking for three wins from three with Brendan Rodgers firmly beginning to make his mark on the football club. Their home form has been somewhat poor this season but after showing immense character at Burnley last time out they will be confident heading into this one.
Taking into account the Cherries awful away form in which they have only managed one win in 11 in all competitions, this one should be a win for the home side who are looking to make ground on those above them in the race for 7th.
