Monday, April 25, 2016, 1.15am AEST, King Power Stadium, watch on Fox Sports
Table position
Leicester City: Top
Swansea City: 15th
Season record
Leicester City: 21-10-3
Swansea City: 10-10-14
Last five match results
Leicester City: DWWWW
Swansea City: LWDWL
Win-draw-win odds
Leicester City: $1.72 with WilliamHill.com.au
Draw: $3.50
Swansea City: $5
LEICESTER City can take a step closer to achieving the unthinkable dream of winning the English Premier League in its clash with Swansea City.
But all eyes will be on star striker and the Premier League’s joint golden boot leader, Jamie Vardy, who appears in all sorts of trouble after being charged with improper conduct by the FA following a torrid outburst at the match referee in the Foxes 2-2 draw with West Ham on the weekend.
Sent of after being awarded a second yellow card for diving, an incensed Vardy confronted referee Jon moss, jabbing his finger and cursing the official.
He has to serve one match, but, if found guilty of the charge, he could be out for longer – meaning he could miss the side’s potential title celebrations.
With four games to go in the campaign, the Foxes own a five point lead over second place Tottenham, after being rated 5000/1 outsiders at the start of the season and narrowly avoiding the drop in 2015.
They need eight points to guarantee the title, if Spurs win every game.
Ten man City got out of jail against the plucky Hammers on the weekend, Leonardo Ulloa equalling the scores after a dubious penalty was awarded in the 95th minute of the match.
Earlier, Vardy had put the Foxes in front and on their way to a sixth consecutive win with a first half finish.
But, after he was sent off, the ascendancy fell to the Hammers, who struck twice in the space two minutes.
The Swans, while still 10 points ahead of the drop zone, were nothing short of woeful in a 3-0 loss to second bottom Newcastle on the weekend.
They had gone three matches unbeaten to put some breathing space between themselves and the drop zone, but came crashing back to earth against the Geordies.
In the corresponding meeting last season, the Swansea enjoyed 59 per cent of the possession, but the the now departed Andy King and Ulloa were the scorers in a 2-0 win for the Foxes. It is hard to see the Swans reversing the damage in this one.
Match predictions
Match result: Leicester City to win ($1.72 with WilliamHill.com.au)
Correct match score: Leicester City to win 3-0 ($15 with WilliamHill.com.au)
Total match goals: Over 2.5 ($2.15 with WilliamHill.com.au)
Let’s get this straight. Vardy has been an integral part of this team’s meteoric rise, but the Foxes are no one trick ponies. Leonard Ulloa was one of the best strikers in the Premier League last season, but he has been relegated to second fiddle by Vardy’s heroics. He is a more than capable replacement for the suspended star and means the side will lose nothing up front. We’ve been trying to work out why the odds are so high against a side that doesn’t have a whole lot to play for. The Swans are all but safe from relegation and we simply can’t see them picking up a point here, despite some half decent form in recent weeks. No team that loses to Newcastle can hold a candle to the Foxes’ juggernaut.
First goal scorer predictions
Leicester City:
Leonardo Ulloa
As we mentioned, Ulloa was one of the most damaging strikers in the Premier League last season and should be as hungry as ever to ensure the Foxes don’t miss Vardy. The powerful young gun should play a full game and you’d expect him to be the one to be served up with the most opportunities with Vardy on the sidelines.
Riyad Mahrez
While Vardy has attracted all the headlines – both good and bad – Mahrez has been the heart and soul of this team. Has simply dominated in midfield, responsible for more goals than any other player, whether finishing off his own boot or handing them off to a striker – usually Vardy, for them to put the finishing touches on. This guy is a danger from there goal line to 35 yards and is the man the Swans will be watching closest.
Swansea City:
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Injury had cruellled much of Sigurdsson’s season, but the star midfielder has turned it on in recent weeks, striking three times in four games before the weekend. Aside from the great Aguero, he is the in form striker in the league at the moment and you get the feeling that if any one is going to score for the Swans, it will be this man either on the end of it or as the architect. Always gives good odds, despite his penchant for goals.
Andre Ayew
With Bafetimbi Gomis appearing out of favour in Swansea, Andre Ayew has been the side’s most consistent front man with eight goals on the season, behind only Sigurdsson’s 11. While the Ghanaian gun has also had his injury struggles, he is fit again and while he hasn’t scored in a little while, he is always a big danger when the Swans come to town.
