Leicester v Aston Villa
16:00, Sunday 13th September
Leicester are one of only three remaining unbeaten sides in the league this season, alongside Swansea and Manchester City. Their two victories and two draws sees them occupy third place and they will be hoping that a third victory in five can help further consolidate their early season assault on the summit of the table.
This weekend’s visitors to the King Power stadium come in the shape of Aston Villa, currently lying in 12th position in the league standings. The Villans are going in search of their first win since taking all three points away to newly promoted Bournemouth on the opening day of the season. A second victory of the season could push Villa as high as fifth in the league, as they look to kick start their season this weekend.
This game will see two in-form wingers going head to head, in the form of Riyad Mahrez and Scott Sinclair. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that Mahrez has hit the target with 63.6% of his 11 attempts on goal, turning four opportunities into goals. A large part of his success comes from dribbling, having completed 68.4% of his 19 dribbles. Sinclair has scored twice with his only two shots of the season, and will need to be on top form to keep up with the in-form Mahrez. Mahrez is 27/11 to score anytime with 888sport.com. Sinclair is 16/5 to score with 888sport.com.
Another interesting battle in the middle of the park sees Danny Drinkwater take on Ashley Westwood, and the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows how both are getting on this season. Drinkwater has won 10 tackles this season, 66.7% of his overall attempts, also racking up six interceptions, but Westwood has actually won 71.4% of his seven challenges with four clearances and four interceptions to his name. Westwood has also completed 88.6% of his 201 passes in comparison to Drinkwater’s 82.3% completion from his 164 passes. These two will be crucial to the outcome of the match, and who gains the upper hand in the middle of the park.
Up top, two England capped strikers will be pitted against each other, in the form of Jamie Vardy and Gabriel Agbonlahor. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index can reveal that Agbonlahor has hit the target with 100% of his three attempts on goal this season, and will hope that attempt number four finds the net. Jamie Vardy will be a handful, as the fastest player in the Premier League this season, hitting a top speed of 35.44km/h. His pace has helped him to two goals this season, having also hit the target with 80% of his five attempts on goal. He also has an assist to his name, and Agbonlahor will have to be in top form to match Vardy if he continues in the same vein.
Leicester v Aston Villa Possible Lineups:
Leicester City: Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan, Huth, Schlupp; Mahrez, Inler, Drinkwater, King, Albrighton; Vardy
Aston Villa: Guzan; Bacuna, Richards, Lescott, Amavi; Sanchez, Westwood, Gil, Sinclair; Gestede, Ayew
Leicester v Aston Villa Match Facts:
- Leicester have lost only one of nine Premier League home games against Aston Villa (W4, D4).
- However, the Foxes have claimed just one win in their last five top-flight meetings (D1, L3).
- Last season’s two Premier League games produced a total of three red cards – for Leicester’s Matt James and Paul Konchesky and Villa’s Ciaran Clark.
- Leicester have scored 37 Premier League goals in 2015. Prior to the latest round of matches, only Manchester City (52), Arsenal (40) and Chelsea (38) had netted more.
- They have drawn their last two Premier League matches. The last time they drew three successive top-flight games was in February 2004.
- The Foxes have netted three headed goals this season – a division-high prior to this weekend.
- Villa have conceded a total of 11 goals in their last four away league games (W1, L3).
- Tim Sherwood’s win percentage as a Premier League manager has fallen below 50% for the first time – it is now 48.7%. A win on Sunday will see it return to 50%.
- Scott Sinclair has scored five goals in his last two league and cup appearances.
Stats via BBC
Leicester v Aston Villa Prediction:
A 2-0 win for the home side.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.