Leicester (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

Another home game and another chance to hand our Premier League survival hopes another huge boost.

Whether you think we’re already safe or still have a chance of finishing in the top 10, it’s just nice to be back at a positive St James’ Park. The feel-good factor is back and we’re proving very hard to beat on Tyneside.

We’ve won each of our last four home games – beating Everton, Aston Villa, Brighton and Wolves along the way – and haven’t lost a league game at SJP since Man City came to town in mid December.

Next up we face a Leicester City side who came from behind in Eindhoven to progress to the semi finals of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

So, they arrive on a high from that but will have plenty of tired legs in the team, meaning Rodgers could well rotate and rest a few of his star men.

Saying that, we can’t afford to rest on our laurels after last Friday’s win, knowing another three points here would not only all but secure after but keep our slim hopes of a top 10 finish alive.

Team news

Ryan Fraser is a doubt after picking up a ‘very small’ hamstring problem, but Joe Willock could return to the squad after making ‘good progress’ with a knee injury he’s been managing.

 Kieran Trippier is ‘very slightly ahead of schedule’ and Callum Wilson back in light training, however neither are fit enough for this one.

For the Foxes, Rodgers is expected to rotate after they played a Europa Conference League quarter final at PSV on Thursday night. As a result, the likes of James Justin, Daniel Amartey and Caglar Soyuncu could all return to the side, with some wondering if James Maddison may be rested.

Predicted line ups

(4-3-3): Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton – Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin.

Martin Dubravka – The Slovakian didn’t have much to do last Friday but stepped up in the second half with one superb save.

Emil Krafth – Had one of his best games in a black and white shirt against Wolves so will almost certainly keep his place here.

Fabian Schar – The ball-playing CB is good at getting us on the front foot at home and can create from deep. Hopefully he can boost his case for a new contract here!

Dan Burn – Back to his best last week and is a real leader at the back. Lascelles will get his chance between now and the end of the season, but it’s hard to see how he gets back in at present.

Matt Targett – Another January signing who was rock solid last time out, responding well from that 5-1 hammering at Spurs with a strong defensive display.

Bruno Guimaraes – Was the best player on the park against Wolves and has to be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Jonjo Shelvey – A player Howe seems to rate highly and one who has added consistency to his game since his arrival.

Joelinton – Plays a key role on the left-side of a midfield three, not only breaking up the play but covering for Allan Saint-Maximin. Wasn’t at his best against Wolves but played a big role in the build up to the penalty. Saying that, Howe has a big decision to make if Willock is deemed fit enough to start.

Miguel Almiron – Fraser might just pass a late fitness test, however I can’t see him being risked. Howe praised Almiron’s display last Friday so I can see him getting a rare start here.

Allan Saint-Maximin – Hasn’t scored since January but most of his returns come at St James’ Park. Let’s hope he can get back on the goal trail here!

Chris Wood – Bagged his first goal on Tyneside last time out and will be looking to add to that now. Hopefully it’s given him a much needed confidence boost in front of goal.

Predicted Leicester XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel – Justin, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas – Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans – Lookman, Daka, Barnes.

Match prediction

I fancy us in this one.

We’ll be the fresher of the two sides after the Foxes played in Holland just a few nights ago and have also had more time to prepare.

Saint-Maximin to cause havoc against Leicester’s tired legs and Wood to score a header in another tight win on Tyneside!

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Leicester

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

44 thoughts on “Leicester (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

  1. From a Leicester fan, hope it’s an enjoyable game. Very happy you folks will be staying in Prem where you belong!

    Stay safe and best wishes from Leicester!

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  2. I agree with Olly’s team. I just dont see us risking Willock or Fraser with 3 games in a week against teams we have a decent chance to beat. It is Sun, Wed, Sat so that is a schedule that will have to be managed with a little bit of squad rotation.

    Leicester are not the same without Vardy and are a bit like their midlands rivals Villa and Wolves in that you dont know which team will turn up. They have a pretty good recent record against us so it is time to change that 🙂

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  3. I went to University in Leicester and it is quite a decent city. It was 30 odd years ago, but went to see a NUFC match with a couple of friends from Newcastle. Started at The Kings Head (Mo should know it) and it is a short walk to Filbert Street. I dont think any of us had NUFC shirts or scarves but some locals started throwing nuts and bolts at us. There was another Newcastle lad we met at the pub who we saw later who had a massive black eye as he said the bolt throwers caught up with him.

    To this day I hold a grudge against Leicester fans.

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  4. BTW Man U were very lucky against Norwich so I wouldnt just assume we will beat the Canaries next Saturday. Paul Pogba was absolutely awful. I just do not know how he a global superstar. Everytime I watch him he is total dross. He will have the odd moment but mostly he is lazy and pushy. He cant tackle for toffee so maybe a move to Everton would suit him.

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  5. Mo:
    From a Leicester fan, hope it’s an enjoyable game.Very happy you folks will be staying in Prem where you belong!

    Stay safe and best wishes from Leicester!

    Mo – ?????? Likewise mate. Big fan of the way Leicester is ran as a club & the bond they seem to have with their fans – hope for simple from our newbies ????.

    Good luck in Europe mate, it would be some achievement that – the league, a cup & a European cup all in one lifetime … imagine that ?. I’d settle for the cup in my lifetime as a toon fan ?.

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  6. Leicester have some excellent midfield players who can control the game. Closing them down quickly and giving them no time on the ball will be key today.

    I think Joelinton, Bruno and Miggy could be key to that today.

    I think I’m right in saying that Leicester aren’t great at defending set pieces – I think I remember seeing their record and it’s poor. Whereas our record from scoring from set pieces has got very good under Howe – that may well be our best chance today.

    I expect SJP to be rocking again today & I’ll be watching with the sun on my back out in Ibiza ?.

    TOON TOON!!!

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  7. Seeing articles about richest owners and our lot not being the richest as if that’s some kind of 2 fingered salute to Newcastle fans.
    The media lot need to understand that Newcastle fans don’t care!!. They aren’t Ashley and they will at least ensure that we improve and compete – that’s ALL we EVER wanted!!.
    I’m sure there was a small section of fans who wanted hundreds of millions spent – our younger followers mainly I suspect. But most of us who have followed the clubs for years – especially my generation who knew the pre Ashley era, we just wanted those days back really. If we get more, great – but if not, just let us see some good football with SJP rocking ??‍♂️.

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  8. Leicester are rotating but it still looks like an OK team. 8 changes from Thurs.

    Their defense is pretty **** though, so I am sticking with 3-1 NUFC.

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  9. Is this Burnley’s last chance today? I think it is and I will be cheering for WHam, for once 🙂

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  10. Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
    Brunooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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  11. Well mixed feelings on that first half. I thinks Dubravka was at fault for their goal. He should’ve had that. We were complacent and slow at first. Great goal from Bruno to equalise. Very industrious. I don’t think it was a pen when wood went down. He stood on the Leicester player. We definitely came back into the game later on..
    I thought Shelvey had a good first half. Maxi very frustrating again!

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  12. This Ref lets every 50/50 challenge go. I dont know if I like it but in a way I do!!!

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  13. yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
    Brunooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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  14. Happy with the result. Safe as now. Very dull game with not a lot of urgency from both teams. Great run from Joe and a top finish from Bruno.

    Eddie Howe. Take a bow, what a turn around, I had us down for sure at Xmas.

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  15. Aussie:
    Happy with the result. Safe as now. Very dull game with not a lot of urgency from both teams. Great run from Joe and a top finish from Bruno.

    Eddie Howe. Take a bow, what a turn around, I had us down for sure at Xmas.

    Me to Aussie, Howe has transformed us, I’m well impressed .

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  16. It has been amazing to actually watch some fun (ner) games of football. Today wasnt the best, but the ending was!!!

    Remember when we just sat back with 9 behind the ball?

    Anybody who hasnt watched it should go on YouTube and see when Eddie saved Bournemouth from going out of the league, I mean the football league!!! “Minus 17” is the documentary. I had no doubt that we would stay up after watching that.

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  17. The match was not the best. I felt beforehand that I’d take a point, and it looked like it was fizzling out and both teams looked like they’d take the point, then that break made such an impact. It seems the Mackems are not the only ones who can grab a last second winner.

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  18. I thought overall it was even but Leicester dominated the 1st 20 mins of the 2nd half and could well have gone ahead. Dubs had a stinker for the 1st 20 mins but recovered well. There were mistakes from both sides and they were better in possession in the 2nd half.

    But can I complain? Fck no! Brilliant run from Willock and finish from Bruno!!!!! So any mistakes or misplaced passes are just going to be a distant memory.

    WELL DONE EDDIE HOWE AND HIS STAFF.

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