Leicester City are battling relegation as they aim to get out of the bottom three when they host Brentford at the King Power Stadium on Friday.
Leicester City are in a troubled position following yet another defeat that saw them drop down to 19th in the table, as relegation looms for the Foxes ahead of the visit of Brentford this week. Last weekend, they took on Arsenal at the King Power and held their ground until late in the game before substitute Mikel Merino scored twice to hand the Gunners all three points.
The Foxes have lost nine of their last ten Premier League games, as they are two points off the safety zone, which has cast doubts on Ruud van Nistelrooy and whether he was the right appointment. A dismal run of form, as well as their rivals climbing up, could lead to the Foxes being deemed as relegation favourites alongside Southampton, but they face yet another big test in the form of Brentford at the King Power.
Thomas Frank’s Brentford took a vital step last weekend towards climbing up in the table as they beat West Ham United away from home. The theme of the Bees’ season has been their exemplary home form as well as a dismal run on the road.
After taking just two points of a possible 27 available on the road, Brentford have won each of their last three games away from home. Those victories came against Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham, as they target a fourth win when they visit the King Power Stadium.
While the Bees are still very much away from any kind of European positions, they could continue to dream of finishing at least in the Conference League places should they continue winning. For Frank, the ideal target would be a top-half finish, although he could ask for more from his players if they can deliver good results between now and the end of the season.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
James Justin was a fresh concern after he left the field against Arsenal with an ankle problem. The defender was later seen wearing a protective boot, which made his participation on Friday night a big doubt for the Foxes.
Beyond that, Ruud van Nistelrooy does not seem to have any new issues, with Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira being the only other players absent from selection. Whether the manager makes some important changes remains to be seen, as Woyo Coulibaly could come in for Justin at right-back, while Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli keep their central partnership alive.
Harry Winks might sit on the bench once again as the manager tends to trust Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare in Leicester City’s midfield. There could be the idea of using Facundo Bounanotte in the attacking side of things, as the on-loan Brighton star could feature on the right wing, while Bila; El Khannouss and Stephy Mavididi will feature in the other attacking positions behind striker Jamie Vardy.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Coulibaly, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Soumare, Ndidi; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy
Brentford
Sepp van den Berg is the only fresh concern for Thomas Frank to worry about ahead of this trip to Leicester after the Dutchman sustained a knee injury against West Ham United. The versatile defender is yet to be ruled out, as he could face a late fitness test to determine his place in the squad.
In any case, while van den Berg suffered a problem, Frank’s side were boosted by the timely return of Ethan Pinnock, who could take his place at the heart of the defence alongside Nathan Collins. There are still some key players missing from action, including full-back pair Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey.
Vitaly Janelt and Christian Norgaard will assume the midfield positions as Mathias Jensen will continue to be on the bench. Frank would prefer an attacking trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Kevin Schade behind striker Yoane Wissa.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa
Key Stats
- Leicester City have lost nine of their last ten matches in the Premier League.
- Leicester City have conceded at least two goals in ten of their last 11 matches in the Premier League.
- Leicester City have failed to score in five of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
- Having failed to win their first nine Premier League away games this season (D2 L7), Brentford have now won their last three. The Bees last won four consecutive league games on the road in September 2011 in League One and have never done so in the top-flight.
- Only bottom side Southampton (172) have faced more shots on target than Brentford in the Premier League this season (151), with the Bees’ six per game faced their highest average in a single campaign. However, Leicester have had fewer shots on target than any side this term (77).
Player to Watch
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo has been Brentford’s biggest attacking threat this season, as he had stepped up properly since the departure of Ivan Toney. While he has 14 strikes in the Premier League this season, the goals have dried up a bit, as he only has one from his last five in the Premier League.
There is a need for Mbeumo to get back on the scoresheet, as Brentford will need their star man back in action after the dry period. All eyes will be on the Cameroonian international to get back on the scoresheet, as his goals will be crucial in what could be seen as a good game against Leicester City.
Prediction
Leicester City 0-2 Brentford
Leicester City have been struggling in all departments over the last many games, meaning they have been conceding, not scoring, and losing most of their matches. This run could continue when they host Brentford, as the pressure could mount on Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Meanwhile, Brentford are experiencing a period of renaissance on the road after initially struggling to take anything from their away games. Thomas Frank will be targetting a fourth straight-away win when they meet Leicester City, as the Bees are expected to score plenty and keep a clean sheet at the King Power. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Frank and his charges.
