Will This Be Another Draw With Leicester City?
After a last gasp equaliser for Newcastle by ex AFCB player Matt Ritchie, Newcastle left Dean Court with their record in tact on never being beaten at Dean Court in a Premier League game. This was the second season in a row that the two sides drew 2-2.
After the recent international break, the next game is away at Leicester City (the Foxes). The last three games there in the Premier League have ended in draws. Since the Cherries last played Leicester City at Dean Court, there has been a change in management. Claude Puel was the third manager to leave in the last three years, he left on the 24th February and Brendan Rodgers took over three days later after leaving Celtic to take on a new challenge in the Premier League. In the January transfer window Leicester City brought in one player on loan, midfield player Youri Tielemans from Monaco until the end of the season, going the other way on the same deal was Adrien Silva.
After AFCB beat Leicester City back in September, the Foxes won the next two games, first at home they beat Huddersfield 3-1 and the last game of the month they were away up in the North East against Newcastle United, it finished 0-2.
October wasn’t a good month for the Foxes and in that three game spell they only gained 1 point. First two games were defeats, first at home losing 1-2 against Everton and then they travelled to London to play Arsenal, the game finishing 3-1. The draw was at home against West Ham which finished 1-1.
November started with a 0-1 win at Cardiff City. Followed with a game back home against Burnley which finished 0-0. The last game of the month was a visit to Brighton, this also finished with a draw, this time 1-1, Leicester were unbeaten in that month.
A busy December and it was a month of mixed fortunes for the Foxes. Starting off at home Leicester City beat Watford 2-0. Then they travelled down to London to play Fulham, it ended 1-1, that was the first of four games in a row they would play London sides. Next the Foxes were home to Spurs, the London club won 0-2. Leicester then visited Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace, Palace won 1-0. The last of the games was another trip to London and this time Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea, Leicester City took all 3 points in a 0-1 win.They carried this form into their next home game against Manchester City, beating last season’s Champions 2-1. The last game of the month and year was again at home, this time they lost to Cardiff City by the only goal of the game.
New Year’s Day and it was a trip up to Merseyside to play Everton, it was a fruitful trip, they came home with all 3 points in a 0-1 win. Southampton were the next visitors and they beat the Foxes 1-2. The next game was the short trip to Wolverhampton, in a game with 7 goals the home side won 4-3. Last game of January was again a trip to Merseyside, this time to play Liverpool, it ended in a 1-1 draw.
February started with three straight defeats, first at home against Manchester United ended 0-1. Then a trip to Wembley Stadium to play Spurs, it finished 3-1. Worse was to come when back home Crystal Palace were the visitors, and Palace won 1-4 and it turned out to be Claude Paul’s last game as Leicester City manager. The last game of the month was also at home, this time the Foxes won beating Brighton 2-1, with temporary manager Mike Stowell in charge.
The first game in March saw new manager Brendan Rodgers in charge, he saw his side lose 2-1 at Watford. The following two games saw Rodgers side win both games. Rodgers first win was in front of his own fans, beating Fulham 3-1. The last game in March was an away trip to Burnley, Leicester City won 1-2. Then came the international break.
Going into our away game against Leicester City the two sides are separated by 2 places and 3 points, the Foxes in 10th place with 41 points and the Cherries narrowly behind them in 12th spot.
Our away games in the Premier League at Leicester so far have all ended in draws. 2015-16, 0-0. 2016-17, 1-1 and 2017-18, 1-1. In all league games at Leicester, AFCB have W 2, D 3, L 2. In all competitions, AFCB have W 5, D 5, L 6.
Six Game Form Guide in the Premier League – Starting with latest game first:
Leicester C WWLWLL - AFCB DWLLDL
Home Form Table
Leicester C – 14th P15 W6 D2 L7 GF19 GA19 Pts 20
Away Form Table
AFCB – 16th P15 W4 D0 L11 GF15 GA35 Pts12
Leicester City Team News
Harry Maguire who has reportedly had a £90 million price tag put on him by his club, will miss this game due to his red card at Burnley. Marc Albrighton has a hamstring injury and Daniel Amartey had a broken ankle.
Leicester City Player to Watch
Jamie Vardy has scored 3 goals in his last 4 games. Leading scorer for his team this season with 12 goals and 4 assists. In midfield James Maddison will be a threat, a very strong all round player who has scored 6 goals and 6 assists.
AFCB Team News
Players who have been out injured apart from Lewis Cook and Simon Francis. Steve Cook groin, Adam Smith hamstring, Andrew Surman calf strain, Dan Gosling knee, Junior Stanislas hip flexor strain. So far no new injuries reported from players who have been on international duty.
AFCB Player To Watch
Callum Wilson, back from England duty and will want to get on the score sheet again after his goal away at Huddersfield, he has 11 goals and 6 assists so far this season. David Brooks in midfield will be another important player for us.
