Calls to crown Leicester as champions were amplified in some fan circles following the revelation of the Super League. However, with the breakaway project now sidelined, Brendan Rodgers’ side will have to earn their spot in next season’s elite competition. Next up for them – a resurgent WBA.
Leicester City have lost pace in the race to finish second in the Premier League. The Foxes are now ten points behind Manchester United, albeit with a game in hand over the Red Devils. However, their immediate concern is to recreate the gap between themselves and fourth-placed Chelsea, who are only a point behind them.
Rodgers’ side has lost both of their previous Premier League matches. They were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City and then lost 3-2 to West Ham United. Nonetheless, there was some joy for the Foxes over the previous weekend, as they beat Southampton to reach the FA Cup Final.
Next up for Leicester City are West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies are currently 19th in the league table but are showing signs of a fight. They have won their last two league matches by a combined aggregate score of 8-2. Sam Allardyce’s side recorded a magnificent 5-2 win over Chelsea two weeks ago before beating Southampton 3-0 last weekend. As a result, they currently stand on 24 points from 31 matches. Their sights are set for the 17th spot, which is currently occupied by Burnley.
These two teams met on the opening day of the new season. Leicester City ran out comfortable winners on that occasion, beating West Brom by three goals to nil. Timothy Castagne scored a debut goal for the Foxes, while Jamie Vardy scored twice from the spot late on.
Leicester have never slipped beyond the fourth spot in the league this season. Rodgers’ side nearly secured a UEFA Champions League qualification last season but was pipped to the final spot by Manchester United on the final day of the previous campaign. They will hope that the same does not happen this year after consolidating their position in the top spots for much of the season. West Brom, meanwhile, know that they cannot slip up again if they are to survive in the Premier League. Allardyce’s men have opened up the smallest of windows for themselves but face a mountain of a task ahead of them.
Key Players
For the first time since Leicester City signed him, Kelechi Iheanacho is showing the kind of form that is expected from the leading striker. The Nigerian has been in the shadow of Jamie Vardy for much of his City career but has become his team’s leading man in recent weeks. Iheanacho scored on the weekend to send the Foxes through to the FA Cup Final. He has 15 goals to his name this season and is his side’s leading scorer across all competitions.
James Maddison was one of the players punished by Rodgers last week for attending a private gathering but is expected to return to the side for their match against West Brom. : The Englishman has scored 11 times so far this season but has made up the numbers with his assists. He is Leicester’s chief creator, and stifling him would ensure that the supply to the strikers is cut off.
Matheus Pereira has been in sensational form for the Baggies lately and has scored in both of their previous matches. The Brazilian attacker put in a man-of-the-match performance when his team beat Chelsea 5-2. He was on the scoresheet again last weekend when the Baggies got the better of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton. Pereira has nine goals across all competitions this season and has provided five assists.
The tall centre forward Mbaye Diagne was drafted in by West Brom mid-season to help them fight relegation. He was immediately put into the starting eleven by Sam Allardyce and has retained his position since. Diagne is key to how the Baggies play, with the striker disrupting opposition defence and holding up the ball well. He has two goals in the league this season, one of which came against Manchester United.
Prediction
Based on recent form, it won’t be a surprise if West Brom manage to get something from this match. The Baggies are on a two-game winning run in the league. Leicester, meanwhile, have lost both of their previous matches.
However, what the Foxes lack in terms of form, they make up in personnel. Kelechi Iheanacho is in great form and will be looking to continue his scoring run of late. Meanwhile, the Baggies will have to be wary of Jamie Vardy, who scored twice against them on the opening weekend. Rodgers’ side should be able to secure the win in this match and consolidate their position in the third spot.
