Piling on the pressure

Leicester will be looking to cement their Champions League spot when they take on Newcastle on Wednesday. Can the Magpies get back on the winning trail on New Year’s Day? Have a read of our preview here:

The ebb and flow of being a Magpie

How hard must it be to support a club like Newcastle? They are huge in one respect but minnows in another.

The club have a huge, loyal fanbase and can pack out their ground most weeks but they have never won anything of note and that does not appear as though it will change any time soon.

Steve Bruce’s side were dreaming of the top four after they went on a run of three wins in four games with an impressive performance against Crystal Palace but back-to-back defeats have brought them down to earth with a bump.

A 4-1 loss at Old Trafford was followed by a 2-1 reverse against Everton at St James Park. It will serve as a timely reminder to any supporters getting ahead of themselves that a mid-table finish for Steve Bruce would be an excellent achievement this season.

They have Jonjo Shelvey back from injury which will give them a boost with the former Charlton man leading the club’s scoring charts with five but they are still missing the pace and guile of Allan Saint-Maximin who is suffering a hamstring strain.

He is an exciting player and will be like a new signing for Steve Bruce if they can get him fit for an extended spell in 2020.

Foxes not done yet?

Leicester’s defeats against both Manchester City and Liverpool highlighted why they are not going to complete another miracle season like they did in 2016, but there is not shame in either loss.

The Foxes have been a revelation in the Premier League this season and, as Brendan Rodgers put it, have been like a ‘hand grenade’ in the top four race this season. Big clubs have struggled to match Leicester’s consistency.

Just to reiterate, they are currently above Manchester United, Tottenham, Man City and Arsenal in the table and victory at West Ham in their last game saw the Hammers dispense with the services of Manuel Pellegrini.

This is a very good squad, full of pace, guile and determination and they’ve only lost twice in the last twelve games.

The Foxes have a 10 point cushion ahead of fifth place and Champions League football will surely return to the King Power Stadium next season if the first half of this campaign is anything to go by.

Newcastle v Leicester betting tip

With Newcastle’s home record tarnished by Everton, Leicester will be confident of going to St James Park and picking up another three points. So, backing the Foxes to win this one at odds of 7/10 with betway is a decent shout here.

Bet Leicester City to win on Betway