Leicester vs Watford predictions: Foxes can flourish in high-scoring clash
- Leicester have won four of their last five home fixtures
- Watford have scored in five of their last six matches
- Recommended bet: Leicester and both teams to score
Leicester’s progress towards promotion has stalled with a pair of 1-0 defeats at home to Leeds and away to Middlesbrough and Enzo Maresca’s side will be anxious to get back on track when they face mid-table Watford at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
The Foxes are in a great position with 39 points collected from 16 games but they will not want to give anymore encouragement to the chasing pack.
Watford sit 18 points adrift of the Foxes but they are unbeaten in six and starting to think of themselves as genuine play-off contenders.
The Hornets signed off for the international break with a superb 5-0 success at home to Rotherham.
Team news
Yunus Agkun (thigh) was unavailable for Turkey’s November internationals and will need to be assessed.
Harry Winks picked up a fifth booking of the season in the 1-0 loss at Middlesbrough and must serve a one-match suspension.
Wilfried Ndidi (muscle strain), Callum Doyle (knee) and Dennis Praet (back) are sidelined.
Watford defender James Morris suffered a hamstring injury in the September 2-2 draw at home to West Brom and has not featured since.
Thomas Ince and Matheus Martins came off the bench to score in the 5-0 success at home to Rotherham and both are pushing for recalls to the starting XI.
The stats
Leicester have won 14 of their last 17 league matches.
The Foxes have led at the break in just six Championship matches this season but they have won 13 of them.
All of Leicester’s three Championship defeats this season have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
Watford are unbeaten in their last six matches but they have won just one of their last 18 away fixtures.
The Hornets have kept clean sheets in four of their last five games and their defensive record (18 goals conceded) is the joint-best among teams inside the bottom half.
Prediction
Leicester have had a handy two-week period to reflect on their single goal losses to Leeds and Middlesbrough and they can respond in the right manner with a high-scoring home win over Watford.
The Foxes will be forced into at least one change with Harry Winks suspended, but they have plenty of other midfield options, with Italy Under-21 international Cesare Casadei or versatile England international Conor Coady in contention for recalls.
Enzo Maresca’s deep squad must be the envy of several Championship managers and it should ensure that Leicester are able to sustain a meaningful title challenge.
While the Foxes should contend for first place, Watford will be hoping to push for a top-six finish.
Valerien Ismael’s side started the season slowly, but they are unbeaten in six games and were impressive 5-0 winners at home to Rotherham a fortnight ago.
The Hornets are playing well enough to get themselves on the scoresheet but they may struggle to contain their high-flying hosts, who should emerge victorious from an entertaining contest.
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