Tinkerman’s squad-rotation to pay dividends for Leicester
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An extra-time victory over West Ham in the Capital One Cup last night ensured Leicester’s unbeaten start to the season continued, and could stand them in good stead for this weekend too.
Andy King’s strike in extra-time sank the Hammers following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. The win means the Foxes are yet to lose this season in eight matches under new boss Claudio Ranieri.
With Man City suffering defeat last weekend, Leicester are now the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and are yet to be spend a day outside the top four.
Indeed the Foxes have been on an incredible run since a 4-3 loss at Tottenham at the end of March. They’ve lost just one of the subsequent 15 games, and that was to Chelsea. Throw in cup fixtures and even pre-season friendlies and that extends to one loss in 22 matches.
Having added to the squad in the off-season, Ranieri had the luxury of resting key players last night, including in-form duo Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy and the centre-back partnership of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth.
In seasons past, the visit of Arsenal this weekend would be cause for concern, but the Gunners are a disgruntled lot right now, and they have a north London derby to contend with tonight too.
Arsene Wenger could only guide his team to a point at the King Power last season, and this is unquestionably a much stronger Leicester side this time around.
Having suffered a difficult European trip to Zagreb, followed by a frustrating and controversial defeat to Diego Costa and Chelsea last Sunday, Arsenal have been through a particularly rough spell so early in the season.
Leicester are 3/1 with Ladbrokes to win this Saturday, and that looks fine value given the two sides’ respective form, in addition to the hosts boasting a host of rested players raring to go.
In what is proving to be one of the most unpredictable Premier League seasons in years, a home win in the east Midlands wouldn’t actually be that surprising at all.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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