Leicester vs Bournemouth Preview
- Draw or Bournemouth win
- Semenyo to score or assist
Leicester’s Tough Start Under Cooper
It was always going to be a challenge for Steve Cooper to win over the Leicester City fanbase, given his previous association with rivals Nottingham Forest.
His task has been made even harder following a winless start to the Premier League season (D3, L3), with the latest setback a 4-2 defeat against Arsenal.
Despite putting up a resilient performance, Cooper cited “two poor decisions” as crucial factors in the loss to the title challengers.
Returning to the King Power Stadium might offer some respite for Leicester, who have shown resilience at home by overcoming half-time deficits in two of their three league matches to earn draws against Tottenham and Everton (D2, L1).
However, facing Bournemouth could prove to be another stern test for Cooper, who has never beaten the Cherries in his managerial career (D2, L3).
Bournemouth’s Dominance Over Leicester
Bournemouth have enjoyed the upper hand in recent Premier League head-to-head (H2H) encounters against Leicester, boasting an impressive record (W5, D5, L2).
The Cherries are currently on a three-game winning streak against the Foxes, their longest in this fixture, and will look to extend that run this weekend.
Andoni Iraola’s side will also enter the match with confidence after their comprehensive 3-1 win over Southampton last Monday, a game the manager watched from the stands due to a touchline ban.
Iraola will return to the dugout with hopes of guiding Bournemouth to consecutive league wins for the first time since the latter part of last season.
However, achieving that on the road will be challenging, as the Cherries have only managed two away wins and one clean sheet in competitive matches since April (W2, D1, L6).
Moreover, they’ve only kept one clean sheet in their last five away H2Hs against Leicester (W1, D2, L2), highlighting their defensive frailties on their travels.
Key Players to Watch
James Justin (Leicester City)
Justin stunned Arsenal with a brace in their recent match, and the defender has developed a knack for scoring beyond the break, with each of his last three Leicester goals coming in the second half.
His presence going forward could be vital if Leicester fall behind or need to push for a win.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
Semenyo has made an instant impact in the Premier League, scoring three goals in six appearances this season.
His goals have proven crucial to Bournemouth’s results, and he’s only been on the losing side once in 11 scoring appearances for the club, making him a reliable goal threat for the Cherries.
Leicester’s Home Resilience vs Bournemouth’s Away Struggles
- Leicester’s home form: Overcame half-time deficits in two of their three home league matches this season to secure draws (D2, L1).
- Cooper’s record against Bournemouth: Faced Bournemouth more than any other side without a win (D2, L3).
- Bournemouth’s H2H dominance: Unbeaten in the last three Premier League meetings against Leicester (W3).
- Bournemouth’s away form: Just two wins and one clean sheet on the road since April (W2, D1, L6).
Conclusion
Leicester City will be aiming to leverage their resilience at the King Power Stadium to secure their first league win under Steve Cooper.
However, they face a Bournemouth side that has historically performed well against them and is buoyed by their recent victory over Southampton. While Bournemouth’s away form may be questionable, their H2H dominance over Leicester could play a significant role in this encounter.
Prediction: A closely contested match likely to end in a draw, with both sides capable of finding the back of the net but struggling to secure a decisive edge.
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