The 2015-16 Premier League season will go down in history as being the season that the “impossible” happened. People across the globe were speaking about Leicester City and how they overcame odds of 5000-1 to win one of the toughest leagues in world football. Most football pundits didn’t expect Leicester to repeat that feat, but they also didn’t expect them to be languishing near the bottom approaching Christmas.
Their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth in midweek was their eighth loss in the league this season. That comes after just sixteen matches. Leicester only lost three games in thirty-eight matches last season. They currently have 16pts from 16 games and that is going to leave them fighting relegation should their current points per game ratio continue.
The Distraction of the Champions League
Clearly, the Champions League has been a huge distraction for the Foxes. They managed to qualify easily from a relatively simple group. They don’t have to worry about that competition again until February. The problem is that they simply cannot seem to put a run of decent results together. They beat Manchester City 4-2 at the weekend and looked like the Leicester City of last season.
Their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth was a poor follow on from that, and once again leaves their fans fearing the worst. Leicester travels to face Stoke City on Saturday. They couldn’t have picked a worst time to play Stoke because Mark Hughes has really got his Stoke team firing again. Stoke started the season poorly but have had a run of good results in recent weeks.
The Britannia is a Fortress Again
Stoke City didn’t win a match in the Premier League this season until almost the end of October. That worrying run even had some of their loyal fans fearing the worst. Stoke City has become a very resilient team under Mark Hughes, and once again they have weathered the storm. They will provide a very formidable opponent for Leicester and especially at the Britannia Stadium.
William Hill quotes Stoke as 7-5 favourites for this match which is fair. You can get 2-1 with Stan James for the draw, while a Leicester City win is 5-2 with William Hill. It is tough to find any value with those odds. Some of the alternative odds markets may provide some interest. Bet365, for example, quote odds of 9-4 that Stoke will keep a clean sheet.
Will Leicester Find the Net?
Leicester failed to trouble the Bournemouth keeper in midweek and may do so again at Stoke. Betway quote 13-10 on the winning margin being only one goal. That particular market may be of interest to some punters. It is amazing to think that we could see the champions relegated this season.
That has only happened once before in history. Leicester should slowly start to pick up points but don’t bet too much on that happening this weekend at Stoke. Even the 2-1 odds on the draw doesn’t seem a bad bet considering that Leicester hasn’t won away from home in the league all season.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
