10 December 2021, 17:07 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Premier League fixture, Leicester City vs. Newcastle United, kicks off at 15:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, December 12, at the King Power Stadium. Referee Peter Bankes has been selected as the first official, while Paul Tierney will be the VAR.
Preview Leicester City Premier League, Dec 12, 2021
Preview After being knocked out of the Europa League by Napoli, 3-2, on Thursday, Leicester City returns to the Premier League to pick up where they left off. The Foxes finished 3rd in the section [Group C] and earned a place in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League. Back on home soil, Leicester City failed to earn a point in the 2-1 defeat to Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa despite taking the lead inside the first fifteen minutes. The Zambia international, Patson Daka, twisted and turned to evade three Villa shirts before finding Harvey Barnes (14') with a fine assist. But Leicester's lead only lasted for three minutes as Ezri Konsa (17') restored parity at Villa Park. Minutes into the second forty-five, Konsa (54') bagged the brace, having squeezed in the header at the near post to see off the Foxes with their second defeat in five league games: DLWDL. Mid-table Leicester City moved a step down, from 10th to 11th place, while having 19 points after 5W, 4D, & 6L. Brendan Rodgers is expected to use a 4—2—3—1 formation against Newcastle United, with Jamie Vardy returning to the starting lineup. As many as six players have tested positive for coronavirus and have been left out of the squad in a bid to mitigate a full-blown outbreak.
Preview Newcastle United Premier League, Dec 12, 2021
Preview Newcastle United earned their first victory of the season (DDLDW) in the 1-0 win over Burnley last weekend at St. James’ Park. The Magpies were on the front foot right from the get-go. Five minutes shy of the break, an error from Nick Pope left Callum Wilson (40') firing into an empty net, having caught Pope, who had failed to gather the ball, in no man’s land. The narrow victory saw the Magpies move one spot higher on the Premier League table, from 20th to 19th place, while having 10 points from 1W, 7D, & 7L. Described as a fantastic feeling, Eddie Howe aims to build on the positive note, following his first win at the club after four games in charge; 1W, 2D, and 1L. The 44-year-old could be lining up another 4—4—2 with Callum Wilson and Joelinton in attack. Earlier today [Friday], the Newcastle boss gave an injury update in his pre-match press conference. A couple of knocks and niggles, but nothing too serious, Howe said. Fabian Schär had a rib problem earlier in the week, but hopefully, he'll be OK. Ryan Fraser had a very slight hamstring problem, but I expect him to be in contention [for Sunday’s game], the Newcastle boss added.