Can The Foxes Stop The Rot Against Liverpool?

Leicester City managed to put two past Queens Park Rangers on Saturday to end their run of 450 minutes without scoring a goal, though missed out on collecting any points as the Loftus Road outfit scored three. Esteban Cambiasso and Jeffrey Schlupp hit the back of the net for the away side.

The result means that the Foxes are eight games without a win, their last coming in the shock 5-3 defeating of Manchester United back in September. It also means that Nigel Pearson`s boys prop up the Premier League table after collecting only 10 points from their first 13 games.

Tonight`s (2nd December, 19:45) visitors are Liverpool, who ended their own run without a win by finally managing to break down the resilient Stoke City last time out. A headed goal from full-back Glen Johnson was the difference just five minutes from time.

Prior to this clean sheet, however, Reds` goalkeeper Simon Mignolet conceded 10 goals in his previous six games in all competitions and will give the East Midlands club hope of being able to build upon their QPR breakthrough.

The much maligned Belgian is 9/4 (Spreadex) to keep consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season, whilst it`s 3/1 (Coral) on a Liverpool win to nil.

Last season`s Premier League runners-up only managed to earn one point from their two Champions League games in November, meaning that their competition status hangs in the balance. A second-string selection lost 1-0 to Spanish giants Real Madrid before the team drew 2-2 with minnows Ludogorets Razgrad. England internationals Rickie Lambert and Jordan Henderson both found their names on the scoresheet in Bulgaria.

Back in the Premier League, Brendan Rodgers` men failed to hit the back of the net against Newcastle in their 1-0 defeat prior to losing 2-1 to undefeated Chelsea. Emre Can scored the first as the Blues fought back away from home to snatch all three points. It was much the same scenario against Crystal Palace, with Lambert providing the opener before Dwight Gayle equalised, Joe Ledley doubled the deficit and Mile Jedinak made sure the Merseyside club were suitably humbled.

The form of experienced centre-forward Lambert is something that the Pool can cling to in these hard times of 11th place mediocrity. The pair of goals he has scored after the long-term absence of Daniel Sturridge and the injury to Mario Balotelli (groin) sees the former Southampton man the 17/10 (32red, 888sport, unibet) favourite to score at any time tonight.

Both Balotelli and Sturridge are still out and Mamadou Sakho is unavailable having only just returned to training since picking up a thigh strain.

Rock-bottom Leicester have no such optimism since their none of their strike force, top scorer Leonardo Ulloa included, penetrated neither Newcastle (1-0) nor Swansea (2-0), West Brom (1-0) nor Southampton (2-0) nor Sunderland (0-0).

Indeed, there`s nothing in the way of light relief in this regard as reliable poacher David Nugent faces late tests on his calf and ankle complaints. Five-goal Ulloa can be backed at 5/2 (Bwin) to score at any time and at 8/1 (Bwin, william hill) to break the deadlock. City are also still without Dean Hammond (calf) and Matthew Upson (ankle). Surgery on a problem ankle sees 35-year-old defender Upson yet to make an appearance for the club since signing for them in the transfer window.

Leicester`s profligacy and injury woes see a number of bookmakers make Liverpool 11/10 (Numerous) for the win, whilst an away upset can be backed at 14/5 (bet365, betfred, Stan James, Totesport). A draw is available at 13/5 (Numerous).

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02/12/2014     © Frixo 2024