Foxes rediscover their mojo
Out with the old, in with a win
Claude Puel was sacked shortly after Leicester's 4-1 home loss to Crystal Palace over the weekend. It was the fourth consecutive loss in a row for the Frenchman as Leicester City dropped to twelfth in the table. Assistant manager Jacky Bonnevay also left the club, so first-team coaches Mike Stowell and Adam Sadler will take over for their game against Brighton.
As most football fans will know, when a new manager comes in there is often an immediate uplift in results. One of the most poignant examples is, of course, the Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man Utd who won his first eight games in charge after replacing Mourinho.
Puel, Shakespeare and Ranieri all won their first game in charge of Leicester City
We can also take Leicester City themselves as an example. Their last manager Craig Shakespeare took over from Ranieri in February 2017 and became the first English Manager to win his first four league matches.
Although there is no official new manager at the club, I still think the logic applies. Surely the new surge of energy players enjoy at the start is more down to a fresh start than a new manager who they will have often barely spoken to.
Brighton away from home
If you look at away form alone then the Seagulls are 17th in the table having only won twice with a goal difference of -12. Their home record would put them at twelfth in the table with five wins and a +1 goal difference.
The Premier league vs. FA Cup
Brighton are enduring a rotten run of form in the league but enjoying a successful FA Cup run. The Seagulls have not won since they beat Everton at home 1-0 in December 2018. Meanwhile they have progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where they will play Millwall, a game in which they are favourites.
Leicester City on the other hand are in no other competition, so will be 100% focused on the Premier League. Each player will also be eager to prove themselves to potential new managers.
Both teams will want to win, but the motivation to win will be even greater for Leicester City in this instance and let's not forget this is a team full of quality.
With these factors in mind I will put my money on Leicester City to win.
