Arsenal FC vs Leicester City, English Premier League 2024-25, Today Match Prediction

Arsenal FC vs Leicester City Match Prediction & Analysis

In one of the most lopsided rivalries in the Premier League, Arsenal will take on the newly promoted Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium for the first time this season. Since 2010, promoted teams have lost 34 of 39 games at the Emirates Stadium without registering a win.

Arsenal head into the contest on the back of two tough away games against Tottenham Hotspur and the most recent versus Manchester City. They triumphed against Spurs but had to contend with a draw against City (2-2) despite leading 2-1 at halftime.

Leicester City, like their opponents, is coming off a hard-fought draw last week, with the Foxes overcoming a goal deficit to draw level with Crystal Palace. Stephy Madvidi scored the equaliser then.  

Current Standings: Arsenal with four wins and one loss are currently placed third in the league standings, while Leicester occupy the 15th position with three points in five games with no wins. 

Head-to-Head Record: Both teams have played each other 34 times in the competition, with the Gunners coming on top 21 times to Leicester’s 5.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Arsenal FC Preview

On any other day, a point against Manchester City at the Etihad would have sufficed, but Arteta and his team would have had a difficult time swallowing the result last Saturday. They led 2-1 at halftime, but after Trossard was sent off in the first half, they had to park the bus in the second half. Unfortunately for Arsenal, it wasn't enough, as City equalised in the final minute of stoppage time. Regardless, they remain undefeated after five rounds and will look to earn all three points at home against Leicester City. 

This season, the Gunners have got six cards (4 yellows, two second yellows) for time wasting or failure to retreat, two more than any other side. They received three such cards against City last time out.

Defence is the key to success

Despite scoring eight goals, the Gunners' biggest takeaway of the season has been their defence. They have only conceded three goals this year (2nd fewest) and kept three clean sheets. All credit goes to Saliba and Gabriel's defensive partnership, as well as David Raya's outstanding goalkeeping. In the game against City, Raya made nine saves. 

Team News

The Gunners will be without Martin Ødegaard, who is recovering from an ankle injury. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney will also be missed.Although Leandro Trossard will return after serving a one-match suspension against Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.

Stats That Matter 

Arsenal are ranked fourth worst in ball possession with 41.6% averaging 10 shots per game. The Gunners score an average of 1.60 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 48%. Kai Havertz and Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes are the top scorers this season with 2 goals each. The team has an average of 4.6 saves per game, the 4th best in the season. They have conceded an average of 0.60 goals per match.

Arsenal Probable Starting Lineup - Neto (GK) ; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori (Defenders); Havertz, Rice, Partey (Midfielders); Saka, Martinelli, Trossard (Forwards) 

Leicester City Preview

It's never easy to come in straight away as a replacement for a coach who has had an instrumental hand in helping the team reach the top flight. Despite the odds, Steve Cooper has done an outstanding job of keeping the squad competitive throughout the five games, given the foxes' difficult schedule. And it shows: they've drawn three games and been competitive in their defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa. 

Tactics

They must be patient in this game and rely more on their defenders, since Arsenal must make all of the plays and cannot afford to lose points. The strategies will be simple: defeat them on the counters. They have been successful at scoring goals despite having few opportunities. So far, they've scored six goals with an xG of 3.99. However, Arsenal is yet to concede a goal from counter-attacks this season. 

Key Player

Vardy, a persistent tormentor of Big Six sides, has 11 goals in 16 appearances versus Arsenal in all competitions. So far in the competition, he has two goals, one of which came against Tottenham while his team was losing by one goal. 

Team News

The Foxes have only two injury concerns, as forward Patson Daka and goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk will miss out on Saturday’s game owing to ankle injuries. Following a good result and performance last time out, no changes to the starting lineup from the previous weekend are expected. 

Stats That Matter

Leicester City are ranked 14th in ball possession with 44.4% averaging 9.4 shots per game. The Foxes score an average of 1.20 goals per match with a shooting accuracy of 34%. Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi are the top scorers with 2 goals apiece. The team has an average of 3.6 saves per game, the 8th best in the season. They have conceded an average of 1.60 goals per match.

Leicester City Probable Starting Lineup -  Hermansen (GK) ; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen (Defenders); Winks, Ndidi; Ayew, El Khannouss, Mavididi (Midfielders); Vardy.

ARSENAL FC vs LEICESTER CITY
Winning Prediction

Arsenal have a close to perfect record against the promoted sides in recent years. In addition to their unblemished record at home since 2010 against the promoted sides, the Gunners have won 16 of the last 17 matches against them with the exception of the loss to Forest in 2023. In addition, Leicester has won only one of their last 26 away games against Arsenal. Considering their dominant record against the Foxes, it is not surprising that almost all betting sites favour Arsenal more than the Foxes. We predict an xG of 3/3.5 and back Arsenal to win this encounter. 

Arsenal to Win (4-0)

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