Check out our key stats and suggested bets for Thursday night’s Premier League action which includes Leicester vs Leeds United and struggling Aston Villa’s trip to Fulham.
Leicester City vs Leeds United
Leicester against Leeds on Thursday night has the feel of a massive game.
There may be just a quarter of the Premier League season gone, but both of these teams look set to be embroiled in a long battle to stay up.
Both have underlying issues with Leicester defensively vulnerable, while Jesse Marsch’s Leeds have struggled for goals.
However, Leicester have gone some way to addressing their problem with two clean sheets in their last two home games. The latest of which was a dull draw with an uninspired Crystal Palace side.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were marginally the better side against Palace but failed with the final ball. Their previous home fixture was somewhat better - a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest - which was their best display of the season.
James Maddison inspired them to victory that night, but their talisman is suspended against Leeds. The England hopeful has been involved in 14 goals in his last 13 games.
Marsch won’t have to deal with Maddison at the King Power, though, and that will be a welcome boost to a Leeds side who have conceded in all four away games.
The 5-2 hammering at Brentford was the worst of those, but the Whites have also lost at Brighton and Crystal Palace.
They were far better in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road last time out. And but for a “brainless pass” from Rodrigo, as per Leeds-live and a missed penalty from Patrick Bamford, they would have managed a point against the league leaders.
Bamford could take Rodrigo’s place on Thursday, but the Whites have not been able to transfer their intensity at home to away games thus far. And there is no suggestion they can improve their finishing this week, even against the bottom-placed Foxes.
Chances will be hard to come by and both teams could well cancel each other out, with the draw a best-priced 13/5.
Fulham vs Aston Villa
It’s hardly a fixture to get the pulses racing, but there is an interesting sub-plot to consider.
The Craven Cottage game looks like another relegation six-pointer with both teams in the wrong half of the table.
Watchers of Fulham have been guaranteed goals this season with over 2.5 goals scored in their last eight Premier League games.
Conversely, though, Aston Villa’s last five games have seen under 2.5 goals. So what can we expect in west London?
Fulham have won two of those home games against Brighton and Brentford, while they earned a creditable 2-2 draw with Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
Villa, meanwhile, have drawn their last two away games - a 1-1 draw at Forest and 0-0 draw at Leeds. Their opening-day loss at Bournemouth (2-0) also saw the under 2.5 goals land.
Steven Gerrard has been unable to get any attacking fluidity into his side and he is under pressure.
However, their 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea did see them show plenty of attacking intent with 18 shots. And, but for a superb display from Kepa Arrizabalaa, they would have come away with at least a point.
Gerrard will not come up against such an inspired keeper twice in a week and Villa look set to hit the goal trail in the capital.
But both these sides look well-matched with shot counts very similar. Fulham have registered 38 shots on target so far, while Villa have 37 and a high-scoring draw is the pick.
Key stats
Leeds have lost their last three away PL matches
Leeds are winless in their last six PL games
Leicester have just once in 10 PL games
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five of Leeds' last six away PL games
Leicester have failed to win nine of their last 10 matches
Both Leicester and Leeds score 27% of their goals between the minutes 31-45
Fulham score 44% of their goals between the minutes 46-60
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Fulham's last eight PL games
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Aston Villa's last five PL games
Suggested bets
Leicester to draw with Leeds
Leicester 0-0 Leeds correct score
Leicester vs Leeds under 2.5 goals
Fulham vs Aston Villa over 2.5 goals
Fulham 2-2 Aston Villa correct score
Fulham 3-3 Aston Villa correct score
Fulham vs Aston Villa total goals - five
