Brendan Rodgers under pressure to win as Leicester play host to Leeds
Two Premier League teams struggling for form will lock horns at the King Power Stadium on Thursday night when Leicester City play host to Leeds United.
While the Foxes have won only one game all season, the Whites are seeking to avoid a seventh-successive game without a victory.
The pressure continues to mount on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers after his side were forced to play out a goalless draw at home against Crystal Palace last weekend.
While a point claimed has at least seen them move off the foot of the table, the Foxes are four points adrift from safety and can ill-afford any more slip-ups if they wish to escape the drop zone any time soon.
Rodgers, who stormed away from a media gathering last weekend following a “very disrespectful” question about his salary, has seen his side win only one of their 10 Premier League games this season and they have conceded a league-high 24 goals.
However, the Foxes have kept a clean sheet in their last two home matches, including the 4-0 win over basement club Nottingham Forest, and they managed to keep Leeds quiet in front of goal the last time that they visited the King Power, securing a 1-0 home win over the West Yorkshire outfit in March.
Every game is turning into a must-win for Rodgers and his Leicester side, while Leeds will also be desperate to taste victory having not done so since August.
Leicester have not drawn any of their last 10 Premier League home games against Leeds, but we feel that this run could come to an end on Thursday, with both sides playing out an entertaining contest at the King Power.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Steven Gerrard
‘Do or Die’ for Steven Gerrard as Villa lock horns with Fulham
Fulham and Aston Villa will both be looking to avoid a fourth successive Premier League game without a win when they face off at Craven Cottage on Thursday night.
Steven Gerrard is the latest Premier League manager who is believed to be on the cusp of losing his job, Villa, who suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea last time out, have won only two of their opening 10 league games this season and they are languishing in 16th place in the table, just one point above the relegation zone.
Gerrard is sure to be judged on upcoming games against Fulham, Brentford and Newcastle United, and if they fail to claim valuable points from this run, then that could put the final nail in the coffin for the former Liverpool midfielder.
Villa’s lack of a cutting edge in the final third has been a major factor behind their dip in form; only goal-shy Wolverhampton Wanderers.
While there is an element of pressure on both teams to win considering their recent dips in form, Gerrard and co will be aware that a defeat on Thursday could see them slip into the bottom three if other results were to go against them.
Fulham have impressed on home soil so far this term and with Mitrovic back fit and firing, we can see the hosts coming away with maximum points.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Xavi, Barcelona coach
Barcelona look to bounce back as they welcome Villarreal
Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing El Clasico defeat on the weekend, as they welcome Villarreal to Camp Nou on Thursday.
The hosts were beaten 3-1 by their arch rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, while the visitors secured a much-needed 2-0 win over Osasuna.
Prior to Sunday’s defeat, Barcelona had been virtually unstoppable in LaLiga, winning seven consecutive games by an aggregate score of 20-1, since an opening-day stalemate with Rayo Vallecano.
Following a frustrating 3-3 draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League, it is now essential that the hosts do not let their confidence slip. Not only staring down the barrel of an early European exit, any lapse of concentration in LaLiga could see a ruthless Real Madrid pull away for good.
On the other hand, Unai Emery‘s men were experiencing a slight dip in form following a strong start to the season, with uninspiring defeats to top four-chasing rivals Real Betis and Real Sociedad, alongside drab draws with Cadiz and Getafe, seeing the Yellow Submarine fall out of the European spots.
Desperate to keep up with Real Madrid, dropped points are simply not an option for Barcelona in the weeks following their Clasico defeat.
Villarreal will make it very awkward for the home side, but their superior firepower should see them through to a narrow win.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Jagoba Arrasate, Osasuna
Osasuna set to get back on track against Espanyol
Osasuna welcome Espanyol to El Sadar on Thursday in LaLiga, with the hosts looking to get back on track after two consecutive defeats.
Jagoba Arrasate‘s men were beaten comfortably by Villarreal on Monday, while the visitors finally grabbed their first home victory of the season last time out, with a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid.
After a strong start to the season, the wheels have been starting to come off for Osasuna over the last few weeks, with three defeats and a draw in their last four games undoing much of their positive early-season work.
Even though their winless run has included an impressive 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, home defeats to Getafe and Valencia were particularly disappointing for Los Rojillos, given their 100% record at El Sadar before those fixtures.
Osasuna are in desperate need of a win here, and can count on their passionate home support to make El Sadar a cauldron ahead of the visit of Espanyol.
While we fancy the away side to score due to the red-hot form of Joselu, we are predicting a much-needed victory for the hosts.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
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