Newcastle vs Leicester City Picks and Predictions: Offenses Make For Back-And-Forth Affair

Seven years on from winning the Premier League title, Leicester are staring relegation in the face as they visit Newcastle on Monday – but they’re not doomed yet.

The Foxes are on a miserable run, with one win from their last 15 games, and it was a familiar story last time out in a 3-0 loss to Liverpool. The stakes don’t get much bigger than this: a victory will take Leicester out of the bottom three; a loss will send them to the brink of dropping into Championship.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are riding high after thumping Brighton 4-1 on Thursday to all but clinch a Champions League spot for next season, and this is a favorable matchup for the in-form Callum Wilson, who has eight goals in his last six games.

Get the lowdown on this Monday, May 22 matchup with our Newcastle vs Leicester free betting picks.

Newcastle vs Leicester City best odds

Newcastle vs Leicester City picks and predictions

As bleak as Leicester’s form has been heading into this make-or-break fixture, there’s still hope after a Leeds loss and an Everton draw this weekend — and the visitors can climb out of the relegation zone with a victory.

While the Foxes cannot afford to throw caution to the wind, especially given their repeated defensive lapses over the past few months, there should be a sense of desperation against a Newcastle team with the pressure lifted after the midweek week.

Despite missed opportunities to climb the table over the past month, the Foxes have scored in five of their last six games. In Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, and Harvey Barnes, the visitors have attacking weapons to hurt Newcastle, and they should be boosted by Kelechi Iheanacho’s return from a groin injury. 

The Magpies were clinical against Brighton in midweek — and pairing Wilson and Alexander Isak in attack has unlocked even more firepower for the hosts. Wilson had a goal and an assist in midweek, and I expect Newcastle to create plenty of chances, even if Howe rotates his squad.

All that feels like a recipe for goals at St James’ Park. Eight of Newcastle’s last nine games have cashed in the Over 2.5 and a BTTS bet has been a winner in seven of their last nine outings. I’m taking these odds for both teams to find the net on Monday.

My best bet: Both teams to score (-138 at FanDuel)

Newcastle vs Leicester City side analysis

There’s been very little evidence of a Leicester turnaround under Dean Smith and, even with the possibility of Newcastle shaking up their starting lineup with the quick turnaround after Thursday’s game, the hosts are big favorites.

Eddie Howe’s men have picked up victories in four of their last six games and they’ve won 11 of their 18 Premier League home games this season, while Leicester have picked up just 14 points on the road.

The Foxes had just 33% of the possession on Monday against Liverpool and I’m expecting a similarly defensive game plan at St James’ Park, relying on the pace of Barnes and Vardy when they get chances to counterattack.

However, it’s tough to see Leicester’s defense holding up against a Newcastle side that’s scored 19 goals in their last six games, even if Howe rings the changes and gives more minutes to Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon.

Newcastle vs Leicester City Over/Under analysis

Both of these teams have served up their fair share of high-scoring games lately — and there’s every reason to expect more of the same here.

Only Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool have scored more goals in the league than Newcastle this season, and Leicester’s defense has been exposed time and time again when facing top-tier attacks.

Jonny Evans returned against Liverpool and could yet solidify the Foxes’ back four, but their confidence has been rocked after conceding 10 goals over their past three games, including a 5-3 loss to Fulham. At the other end, Smith may consider changes but his options are limited, with Iheanacho the likeliest to see a bigger role.

The hosts blew Leicester away in the first half of their prior meeting this season — a 3-0 Newcastle win — and also blanked the Foxes in the Carabao Cup in January. If Wilson and Isak both start, the Over becomes even more attractive.

Newcastle vs Leicester City game info

Newcastle vs Leicester City key injuries

Newcastle: Kieran Trippier D (Questionable), Joelinton M (Questionable), Jacob Murphy M (Questionable), Sean Longstaff M (Out), Matt Ritchie M (Out), Emil Krafth D (Out), Jamaal Lascelles D (Out).
Leicester City: Kelechi Iheanacho F (Probable), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall M (Questionable), Caglar Soyuncu D (Doubtful), James Justin D (Out).

Newcastle vs Leicester City recent form

Teams	Last five matches
Newcastle	L-W-W-W-W
Leicester City	L-L-L-L-D

Newcastle vs Leicester City weather

The forecast calls for mild, dry weather in Newcastle, with a light wind and temperatures in the mid-50s by kick-off.

Pages related to this topic