Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
Two sides looking to book their spot in the fourth-round of this year s EFL Cup in midweek, Leicester will welcome Arsenal to the King Power on Wednesday night.
Leicester
Starting with the hosts, left devastated after essentially throwing away a Champions League finish after their sluggish return from the enforced break back in June, Leicester couldn t have wished for a better start this time around. Opening up the 2020/2021 campaign with a thumping 3-0 win away at Premier League returners West Brom earlier in the month, Brendan Rodgers men once again showed their clinical edge at the King Power over the weekend. Coming from behind to pick up what was a dramatic 4-2 victory against Burnley on Sunday night, the Foxes know that they will open this weekend s fixtures in top spot after their free-scoring start to the New Year. Really managing to refind their feet after their summer blip, Leicester should also be boosted by what is a dominant record against the Gunners on home soil. Including a 2-0 win when they welcomed Arsenal to the King Power last year, the Blues have won each of their last three straight home matchups against Wednesday s guests.
Team News
After coming off the bench for Leicester s opening two Premier League contests this season, James Maddison is in line for a first start on Wednesday night.
Kelechi Iheanacho is likely to be given the chance to lead the line for the Foxes in midweek. However, Johnny Evans still remains on the sidleines.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, while Arsenal might have managed to avoid a real scare over the weekend and snatched a late 2-1 win against West Ham in North London, the Gunners have impressed many since Mikel Arteta took charge at the Emirates. With it no secret that Pep Guardiola s former right-hand man is desperate to guide his squad back to the Champions League this season, the Gunners have opened the New Year with back-to-back victories and the mood in their camp appears to be at a high. Already lifting both the Community Shield and the FA Cup at Wembley last month thanks to victories against Chelsea and Liverpool, Arteta could be calling on Alexandre Lacazette to spearhead their charge at the King Power in midweek. While strike partner and skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might have stolen most of the headlines after putting pen to paper on a new deal in North London, the Frenchman has landed back-to-back Premier League strikes since opening the 2020/2021 campaign.
Team News
Having to settle for a place among the substitutes in both of Arsenal s Premier League matchups, winger Nicolas Pepe is in line for his first start of the season.
Key Factors to Consider
Including a 2-0 win the last time Arsenal cam to town, Leicester have won each of their last three home fixtures against the Gunners by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Alexandre Lacazette scored his 50th goal for Arsenal in all competitions, becoming the fourth Frenchman to reach this milestone for the club after Thierry Henry (228), Robert Pires (84) Olivier Giroud (105).
Leicester have won their first two games of a Premier League campaign for the first time since their title-winning campaign of 2015-16.
Jamie Vardy has scored four goals in his last three straight matchups against Arsenal.
Four of the last six meetings between Arsenal and Leicester have seen both teams find the net by the final whistle.
Conclusion
On paper, we could be in for quite the lively contest on Wednesday night. While Leicester might have drastically fallen off the pace after returning from the enforced break back in June, the Foxes have opened the new campaign with back-to-back victories and have really shown their clinical edge in front of goal. On the flip side, also managing to collect maximum points since opening the 2020/2021 campaign, there is no doubt that the mood in Arsenal s camp is on the rise and they also have two leading marksmen who have really enjoyed a summer purple patch. With four of the last six meetings between the two sides seeing both teams find the net, we re backing a similar outcome at the King Power on Wednesday.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
