Tim Keeton – Pool/Getty Images. Pictured: Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Leicester City vs. Newcastle Odds
| Leicester City Odds | -245 |
| Newcastle Odds | +650 |
| Draw | +380 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-136 / +110) |
| Day | Time | Friday | 3 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSN |
| Odds updated Thursday afternoon via DraftKings. | |
Clubs with everything to play for will go at it Friday when Leicester City hosts Newcastle United at King Power Stadium in their Premier League match.
The Foxes, who are currently in third place in the standings on 63 points, are fighting to maintain their spot in the top four and coveted Champions League position in next season’s competition.
On the other side, a win or draw would go a long way for the Magpies when it comes to keeping their place in England’s top flight. Newcastle is sitting in 17th in the table and nine points clear of Fulham.
Let’s take a look at these sides in what should be an interesting confrontation.
Leicester City
The Foxes continue to be in full control of their European soccer destiny. Manager Brendan Rodgers and his side are unbeaten in their last four meetings across all competitions, including three league contests.
However, Leicester City had to be disappointed after leaving St Mary’s Stadium with just a point after its 1-1 draw against Southampton last time out. The Foxes had just found success a few weeks back against the Saints, notching a 1-0 win against them in an FA Cup semifinal match.
Leicester City trailed midway through the second half, but found its equalizer when Jonny Evans scored in the 68th minute to bring things level. The game stayed that way until the final whistle, with the Foxes holding a 1.7-1.1 edge on expected goals.
You would have to think Leicester City will go all out to bag three points, simply due to the fact it has an extremely difficult league schedule the rest of the way. Matches against Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur close out its fixtures, which is an extremely difficult row to hoe for any club.
Newcastle
The Magpies have been doing enough to stay afloat in England’s first division, going unbeaten in the four games prior to a 2-0 home setback against Arsenal in their most recent match. Newcastle was downright awful in defeat, losing the xG battle by a 2.0-0.2 margin at St. James’ Park.
That said, the Magpies have no time to hold a pity party on Tyneside and must focus on the task at hand in Leicester City. Newcastle must continue accumulating as many points as possible in the slim chance Fulham decides to string together late-season wins to spice things up in the drop zone. I don’t see the Cottagers doing that, but crazier things have happened in this league.
Newcastle does have opportunities to bag points after this contest, with current relegation sides, Fulham and last-place Sheffield United, as their last two foes. The Magpies get the Cottagers on Decision Day, but my feeling is this safety situation will likely be decided before we reach that point.
Betting Analysis & Pick
When it comes to who needs a result more, it has to be the Foxes. Locking up that Champions League position is beyond important to them, so I expect them to put in a solid shift on home soil.
Sure, Newcastle would love to steal three points on the road, but after that debacle against Arsenal, I’m not so sure that’s in the cards.
The last time these clubs met was back on Jan. 3, with Leicester City earning a 2-1 win at St. James’ Park. The scoreline indicates what seems to have been an exciting game, but that was far from the truth. The offenses were stagnant, with the Foxes holding a 0.9-0.2 xG advantage over the Magpies.
I am forecasting a similar result in this affair and believe the host will ramp things up a notch with Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool breathing down its neck. That said, I am backing Leicester City to cover the -1.5 spread line at +120 odds via DraftKings as my top pick.
I will also sprinkle a little on the total going over 2.5 goals at -136 odds in what I think will be a back-and-forth showdown. There have been at least three goals in six of Leicester City’s last seven league games at King Power, which has me feeling optimistic about this wager.
Pick: Leicester City -1.5 (+120) | Total Over 2.5 Goals (-136)
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