Leicester City v Arsenal Premier League Betting Tips August 20th 2016
Posted by: Mitko Atanasov in Aug, 2016
Tip #1: Back Leicester or Draw @ 1.57 with bet365.com
Tip #2: Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.57 with bet365.com
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Leicester City v Arsenal Premier League Betting Tips: Match Preview
Leicester City
Having stunned the world with last season’s Premier League title win, Leicester City were brought back down to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Hull City in the first game of their new campaign. For Leicester, it was a poor outcome, considering Hull were being guided by caretaker manager Mike Phelan and were limited to a little over a dozen first-team players.
Poor defending can be blamed for Hull’s Adama Diomande opener on 46 minutes. However, Leicester were able to strike back only a minute later with a Riyad Mahrez penalty, but the Foxes were unable to recover from an unmarked Robert Snodgrass striking from inside the box on 57 minutes.
Over the course of the game, Leicester shared 50% of possession with Hull, while creating 18 total shots with five on target. But the reason why they lost is that they were wide open in the centre of the park, which allowed for Hull to 14 total shots with four on target. Last, season, it would have been unheard of for Hull to do that.
After only one game, Leicester’s immediate priority had to be reinforcing the midfield to fill the N’Golo Kanté-shaped hole at the heart of their team. Claudio Ranieri bought Nampalys Mendy to replace Kanté, but chose to use Andy King alongside Danny Drinkwater. Ranieri must get Mendy into the side or his Foxes will lose early ground in the title race.
Arsenal
By comparison, Arsenal’s problems are more self-inflicted than Leicester’s, with Arsène Wenger having arguably his worst transfer window in living memory. Even before injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel, Wenger had to sign a centre-back as cover for the excellent, but often injured, Laurent Koscielny.
There is speculation that Wenger will complete a deal to bring German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia, but it’s interesting to wonder if Wenger wanted Mustafi or is doing so because of injury. Either way, Wenger’s slow progress has caused the Gunners to concede an embarrassing four goals at home.
Liverpool exuded much more energy than Arsenal, so it was vital for the Gunners to remain calm and rigid in defence. But that was never going to happen with fullback Calum Chambers and newly signed youngster Rob Holding, previously of Bolton, partnering at centre-back.
Arsenal were bullied at home, giving up 16 shots and seven on target in the 4-3 defeat. In fact, that score-line was kind to them, with Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp also guilty of signing a lack of quality in defence. For Arsenal, they need their midfield to carry them, but that got harder losing Aaron Ramsey to injury.
Verdict
This could be a tense encounter after these sides lost their openers, and both might need a couple of weeks to shore up the defensive sides of their strategic play. With doubts around both teams, it might be worth taking Leicester or draw at 1.57 with bet365.
Tip #1: Back Leicester or Draw @ 1.57 with bet365.com
Tip #2: Back Both Teams to Score @ 1.57 with bet365.com
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