3 minute read

Newcastle United need just a point to guarantee Champions League football, while Leicester City are desperate for a win to avoid relegation.

St James' Park will host Newcastle's final home game of the season with Leicester the visitors and both teams need the points for very different reasons.

Key stats

Newcastle have scored 32 goals in their last 12 matches, netting in both halves on seven occasions.

Newcastle have won the last three meetings of the sides by an aggregate score of 7-1.

Leicester City haven’t kept a clean sheet in their previous 21 Premier League matches.

Leicester City have averaged 2.27 goals against per game on their travels this season.

Verdict

Newcastle United will secure Champions League football if they can pick up a point against Leicester City on Monday. The Toon are currently third on 69 points, three clear of Liverpool in fourth.

Visitors Leicester find themselves below Leeds in the bottom three and three points from safety. A draw would take them up a place, but their only realistic route to safety looks like beating Newcastle and then West Ham.

Newcastle bounced back from their slip at Elland Road to emphatically end Brighton’s outside chances of a top-four finish. Goals from Undav (OG), Burn, Wilson and Guimares did the damage.

The Foxes have been streaky all season but their form has deserted them at the worst possible time. A 5-3 loss to Fulham and a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool have severly their chances of survival.

The pressure is on Leicester to win on Monday and visit St James Park, that’s not a nice situation to be in. Anything less than a win leaves Everton in pole position to survive on the final day.

The main concern for Dean Smith would have been to patch up the leaky defence and give themselves a chance in games, but this group of players just don’t seem to have it in them.

The visitors have conceded in 21 consecutive Premier League matches, allowing two or more in 13 of those. There’s little evidence they can keep Newcastle at bay for even a half.

The hosts have a quicker turnaround and some injury concerns, but they should be on cloud nine after their win over Brighton. Although a point will secure the top four, they’ll want all three.

Their goalscoring form will be of great concern to Leicester. The Magpies have found the net 32 times in a 12-game run, scoring in both halves on seven occasions. 

Not only have Leicester conceded in both halves of their last three matches, but they’ve also leaked seven first-half goals in their last three away matches.

Newcastle look a good bet to wrap up their Champions League qualification in style, condemning Leicester in the process. If the hosts score early, they could run away with it.

Suggested bets

Newcastle to score in both halves

Over 3.5 goals

First half: Over 1.5 goals