Leicester City vs Arsenal. Premier League.
The King Power Stadium.
Harvey Barnes set for Leicester recall; Arsenal should have a fully-fit squad; follow Leicester vs Arsenal in our dedicated live match blog; watch highlights on Sky Sports digital platforms and Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full-time
Saturday 27 February 2021 20:42, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Leicester vs Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday (kick-off 12pm).
Leicester trio Harvey Barnes, Ricardo Pereira and Timothy Castagne are expected to be recalled to face Arsenal on Sunday.
The trio started on the bench in Thursday's 2-0 Europa League defeat to Slavia Prague which knocked the Foxes out of the last-32.
James Maddison remains out with a hip problem and James Justin (knee), Dennis Praet (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Ayoze Perez (knee) and Wes Morgan (back) are all sidelined.
Arsenal should have a fully-fit squad to take to the King Power Stadium, but for one injured goalkeeper.
Midfielder Thomas Partey came off the bench in Thursday's Europa League win over Benfica and will be pushing for a recall following a hamstring injury.
Defender Rob Holding (concussion) missed the trip but is in contention as manager Mikel Arteta must decide if any players are in need of a rest.
Second-choice 'keeper Alex Runar Runarsson will not be available after picking up a knee problem.
Follow Leicester vs Arsenal in our dedicated live match blog. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.
The destination of the points in this one will centre around which club can recover quickest from their Thursday night escapades. Arsenal will take to the field in far more buoyant mood after keeping their Europa League hopes alive vs Benfica but it's Leicester that surely will be the fresher side.
Brendan Rodgers' tactical flexibility and ability to rotate his squad in shrewd fashion is a key part of his management. I always got the feeling a Premier League game takes prominence in his eyes over Europe and Thursday's defeat to Slavia Prague backed that up. They will be ready to rock for this one.
A common theme of their season has been their impressive performance levels after a Europa League clash on a Thursday. The Foxes have won six of their seven Premier League matches straight after a Thursday game, including the 1-0 win at The Emirates back in October. At 6/4 they look backable.
The match-up down Leicester's left has got my punting juices flowing, too.
Hector Bellerin will be tasked with dealing with a fresh Harvey Barnes, who was rested in midweek. The Arsenal defender is the most booked player in the Premier League this season (8) with one of those for a foul on Barnes in the corresponding fixture. In total, the flying Leicester man has got 12 players booked this season which ranks him only behind Jack Grealish in that regard. The 7/2 with Sky Bet for Bellerin to be carded looks very fair.
JONES KNOWS PREDICTS: 2-0
BETTING ANGLE: Hector Bellerin to pick up a card (7/2 with Sky Bet)
On this week's Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Jamie Redknapp joins Peter Smith to assess where Liverpool stand right now. The Sky Sports pundit explains why he thinks it would be a surprise if they make the top four and the reasons why he expects them to get back to their top level next season.
We also hear from Sky Sports football writer Jack Wilkinson, who assesses Chelsea's start under Thomas Tuchel, Man Utd's talk of the title, and gives his verdict on why the next couple of months could be key for the future of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham. Plus he shares his Pitch for the weekend!
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