Leicester to beat basement boys Aston Villa in Midlands battle
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | January 15, 2016
Aston Villa v Leicester City
- Premier League
- Saturday, January 16th
- Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
- Villa Park, Birmingham
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Villans and Foxes break win-less runs
Before the current Premier League season, you’d have associated this fixture between Midlands rivals Aston Villa and Leicester City as a potential relegation battle; however, instead is it a battle between bottom and top.
The Foxes, who are equal on pointers with table leaders Arsenal, beat Villa earlier this season at home in a thrilling 3-2 late comeback, and are 23/20 away favourites with Coral.
Both teams come into this clash on the back of ending win-less runs, though. Leicester claimed their first victory in four league games by defeating Tottenham and Villa got just their second of the season since beating Bournemouth on the opening weekend.
Crystal Palace were the unlucky team to succumb to the Villans last time out, and Remi Garde’s men are tempting 27/10 chances for their third successive home triumph against the Foxes in all competitions.
In-form stars to help Foxes through
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been the main men in attack for Leicester this campaign, and are respective 6/5 and 5/4 shouts to score anytime here. But, the duo have not found the net in recent matches, with Shinji Okazaki stepping up to the plate, so back the Japanese forward at 7/4 in the same market.
Marc Albrighton, meanwhile, makes a return to the club he started his professional career with, and he is 5/1 to strike anytime and get one over his former side.
Joleon Lescott grabbed the winning goal for Villa against the Eagles, and is set to start alongside returning captain Micah Richards in the heart of defence. Former Everton and Manchester City star Lescott is 12/1 to net anytime again.
However, frontmen Rudy Gestede (7/4) and Jordan Ayew (15/8) are more likely to be on target, while Jack Grealish (11/4) and Carles Gil (7/2) will be hoping to strike after scoring against the Foxes back in September.
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Coral’s top tip: Albrighton will be extra motivated for his return to Villa Park, and so is a tempting 5/1 shout to score anytime.
