(Football news) Third place Newcastle United will visit the King Power Stadium to take on 13th place Leicester City in the Premier League. Both sides progressed into the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and are looking to build on that form in the league. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are hoping to qualify for the Champions League next season with a top four finish while Brendan Rodgers, who was possibly on the verge of a sack with Leicester City based on their early season form have had a fantastic turnaround, getting 13 points from six matches.
Such has been Leicester’s form that they have scored more goals than any team in the top six and despite suffering 6-2 and 5-2 defeats in the season early-on, they have stabilised their goal difference. The Foxes defeated Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 with in-form James Maddison contributing 11 goals in the league so far, only four players have contributed more than the English midfielder.
However, no team in Europe has overachieved as much as Newcastle United this season. The Magpies already have 20 points more than they did at this time last season and are currently third, just two points behind reigning champions Manchester City and four points ahead of Manchester United.
In team news, the likes of Danny Ward, Daniel Amartey, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne and Youri Tielemans are available for Leicester City despite their involvement in the World Cup but James Maddison is a doubt due to a knee problem while Johnny Evans is definitely unavailable. Ryan Bertrand, Ricardo Pereira and James Justin are all on the sidelines while Caglar Soyuncu faces a late fitness test.
As for Newcastle, Alexander Isak is still not ready to return for Newcastle but the Swedish striker should be fit by January. Ryan Fraser and Elliot Anderson should be available for this fixture but Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth will be unavailable. Despite their form, a draw seems like a likely result from this fixture.
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Ward; Castagne, Amartey, Faes, Thomas; Soumare, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Praet, Barnes; Daka
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; S Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Willock; Almiron, Wilson, Joelinton
Also read: Table toppers Arsenal return to action against West Ham
