Leicester Favourites Against Sunderland Despite Goalless Streak

Sunderland have made progress following their back-to-back thumpings at the hands of Southampton and Arsenal, though it could all be in vain should they be unable to pull a result out of the bag away at Leicester tomorrow (22nd November, 15:00).

City on the other hand occupy a place in the relegation zone and are without a goal in their last four games. Nigel Pearson`s men have failed to take a point in these games whilst have also failed to pick up a win in their last six. Despite this horrible period of form, the East Midlands` club are 23/20 (betfred, Totesport) to turn things around and grab a much needed victory at home tomorrow, puttting them on 12 points with the Black Cats.

An away triumph can be backed at 29/10 (Betvictor, betfair) to put further clear water between Gus Poyet`s men and the drop zone. A tie, helpful for neither side, is available at 5/2 (bet365, boylesports).

Leicester`s profligacy in front of goal has been a consequence of conceding a last minute equaliser at home to fellow Premier League newbies Burnley. A goal for Jeffrey Schlupp put Pearson`s men one to the good before a quick leveller from Michael Kightly. It took Leicester all of one minute to restore the lead five minutes before the break with Riyad Mahrez`s effort. The result remained right until the 95th minute of the game as Ross Wallace`s free-kick found the top corner.

This result preceded away defeats at Newcastle (1-0), Swansea (2-0) and Southampton (2-0) and a King Power Stadium loss to West Bromwich Albion (1-0). Sunderland are 10/3 with Spreadex to keep a clean sheet and 6/1 with Coral to win to nil.

The North East club have recovered after suffering from a goal drought of their own with successive defeats against Southampton, which they lost a mammoth 8-0, and Arsenal, a slightly more respectable 2-0. The side`s last two matches have seen them beat Crystal Palace away from home and draw with Everton at the Stadium of Light.

Steven Fletcher broke the deadlock only for Wes Brown to put the ball past his own keeper 10 minutes into the second half against Palace. Jordi Gomez restored the advantage with just over 10 to go before Fletcher completed his brace for the 3-1 win to drag Neil Warnock`s men closer to the foot of the table.

Sebastian Larsson thundered home a wonderful free-kick to see Sunderland take the lead at home to Everton and were only pegged back after Connor Wickham fouled Seamus Coleman in the box with Leighton Baines` converting the resulting penalty kick.

Gus Poyet will have to make plans regarding the left-back position following Patrick van Aanholt sustaining a dislocated shoulder against Palace. The Uruguayan will also be without defenders Emanuele Giaccherini and Billy Jones who are not yet fit for the Leicester game despite being able to train after their respective ankle and hamstring injuries.

The good news is that both winger Ricky Alvarez and centre-back Sebastian Coates could return to the squad after shaking off respective cruciate ligament and thigh issues.

Also set to make an appearance is the club`s top scorer Steven Fletcher who has been passed fit to play despite being seen limping off against Republic of Ireland during his Scotland international. Having grabbed four goals already this season, the former Wolves star is 27/10 (32red, 888sport, unibet) to score at any time and 17/1 with paddy Power to bag his third brace of the season.

Leicester will be looking to their own top scorer Leonardo Ulloa to break their duck. The ex-Brighton man is 5/1 with most bookmakers to score first.

Pearson has no new injury concerns ahead of the sunderland clash.

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21/11/2014     © Frixo 2024