Premier League Team News and Prediction: Leicester vs Arsenal

Leicester host Arsenal in the early kick-off on Sunday, aiming to leapfrog Manchester United into second for a matter of hours at least, while Arsenal can only dream of jumping into the top half of the table.

Nevertheless, it's the Gunners that may well come into the game in stronger spirits following a last gasp win over Benfica secured their place in the Europa League round of 16. Meanwhile, Leicester were knocked out of the same tournament by Slavia Prague, but will at least now be able to shift sole focus onto securing a top four finish in the league.

When is kick off?
Sunday 28th February, 12:00 GMT
Where is the match?
King Power Stadium, Leicester
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 1

Form Guide

Overlooking their shock defeat in European action in midweek, Leicester have picked up 10 points from the last 12 available in the Premier League, though they remain fallible on home soil. Only six teams have lost more home games than Brendan Rodgers' side this season (five), though they have won each of their last three league meetings against Arsenal at the King Power Stadium, with Arsenal having more men sent off in their last four trips to Leicester in the league than they have scored goals.

While Leicester have won three of their last four in the league, Arsenal have done the opposite, losing three in that time and effectively surrendering in the pursuit for a European finish in the process. Six points may not seem insurmountable for a top six finish, but the amount of teams they need to overtake in what is a competitive battle makes it a real uphill battle and one they may find impossible to scale should they lose once more.

Team News

Leicester will be sweating on the fitness of James Maddison, who limped off against Aston Villa last weekend with a recurrence of a hip injury and may well miss out. His absence would leave the hosts without six first team players, with Wesley Fofana and James Justin chief among them. Youri Tielemans could be given more license to attack with no natural replacement for Maddison in behind Jamie Vardy, who has a career-high 11 goals against the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta could have a fully fit squad to choose from by comparison, with Rob Holding the only doubt following the returns of Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey from injury. The latter should come in for Dani Ceballos in what may well be the only change from the win over Benfica, although Emile Smith-Rowe may well get a rest sooner or later.

Probable XIs

Leicester (451): Schmeichel; Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Castagne; Albrighton, Ndidi, Tielemans, Mendy, Barnes; Vardy

Arsenal (4231): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe; Aubameyang

Key Battle: Harvey Barnes vs Bukayo Saka

Likely to come head-to-head down the same flank, how each of these two flying wingers helps in countering the threat of the latter could be key. In terms of each player's WhoScored rating, they couldn't be closer without being identical, with Saka (7.03) just edging out Barnes (7.02), despite the latter's superior goal return.

It's Saka that offers greater versatility but there is no doubt Barnes' end product has stepped up a gear this season, so it remains to be seen which of the two will be more appealing to Gareth Southgate. It seems ludicrous that two talents of their ilk could both miss out on a place at the Euros, but the England boss will undoubtedly be a keen spectator to events on Sunday afternoon with a return to international duty just a matter of weeks away.

Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Arsenal