I'M going to make a big statement – if Leicester win tonight they'll go on to be crowned champions.
It's taken me a long time to become a believer but in all probability Spurs are the Foxes only serious challengers and everyone expects them to drop points in the run-in.
If Leicester beat Newcastle they'll be five points clear with eight to play – and may only need three wins and a couple of draws to go the distance.
I'd love to be holding one of those slips that say “Leicester to win the Premier League at 5000-1”. And would I have cashed it in by now – probably.
I was at Newcastle's last game against Bournemouth and couldn't believe how badly they played and how poisonous the atmosphere was.
That was not surpeisingly Steve McClaren's last game in charge and it will be fascinating to see how successor Rafa Benitez handles a drop battle.
He's only had two full days to sort out the team and it's unlikely be enough – his next two against Sunderland and Norwich are where points have to be picked up.
So I'm sticking with Leicester at 8-13 with William Hill and despite the new-boss bounce factor I'm on them -1 at 17-10.
Rafa's a better boss than McClaren but he isn't a miracle worker. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez can run a dodgy defence ragged so let's go with Vardy to net at evens with Ladbrokes. Mahrez is 7-4 at bet365.
Newcastle have nothing up front so consider Leicester to win to nil at 15-8 with McBookie.
Recommended Bets
Leicester -1
(17-10, William Hill)
Vardy to score
(1-1, Ladbrokes)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Definitely on the win to nil. Or the -1, Leicester will be far too strong. Like you say, Newcastle are playing so bad that nothing else seems like an option.
I’m going to take Huth to score as Newcastle can’t defend set pieces and he’s always good attacking in the air.
Newcastle will score in a 1-1 draw.
new manager syndrome the main reason
I like the look of a bet on William hills. Mahrez to score and leister to win 1-0,2-0 or 2-1 @ 8/1
Im with you @elvis-parsley I think the draw has a shout and im even going to stick my neck out and say if the toon can shore up the back and stop the supply (high ball over the top) to vardy and mahrez then they are capable of a smash and grab result.
Leicester will come out all guns blazing and if newcastle can keep it tight at the back for the 1st half they will have a chance of at least a point and possibly 3 !!!
Rafa knows what he is doing and i think he may just try and soak up the pressure then hit leicester on the counter attack when they can.
Sure makes for a good game either way.
not liking the confidence on your own challenge bet @stubhoy haha!
stubhoy, if McClaren was in charge tonight every line every punter did would have Leicester in it.
There’s is no doubt Newcastle will be better under Benitez but can he make such a masive difference right away against the league leaders?
I don’t think he can – it really does look like a 1-0 or 2-0 home win unless Leicester score early which is unlikely.
Stubhoy,is your challenge bet Leicester to WIN ???
Not following myself as ive got Leicester win & over 2.5mg,
but theres probably a few folk following you
and your contradicting yourself over here going for the Draw.
Not very nice is it? :( :(
It seems 2-3 mgs might well be the answer 4 the liecester game?
At least that wld suit a few more angles of the game, & that’s available on bet365 @ evens ?