This is a pressure game for Eddie Howe. While they are doing well in the league they were surprisingly beaten in the FA Cup at the weekend to Sheffield Wednesday and if they were to go out of the League Cup at home heavily favourited against Leicester then their season could have peaked and doubts might be raised about Howe’s ability to take Newcastle to the highest level.
Howe of course is not yet proven he can do this. He has surprised many at how well he has done over the past year at Newcastle but judgment can really only be passed at the end of the season.
They have a strong defense there is no doubt about that. However, in they have over-performed their expected goals against in each of their last ten league games, and this could catch up with them now when the pressure and expectation is beginning to increase.
Howe has decided to field perhaps his strongest team.
Leicester also have close their first team as Maddison is out and Dewsbury-Hall omitted in favour of the experienced Albrighton and patchy Perez.
All in all, I think Rodgers and Leicester have enough about them to take their chances if Newcastle do concede them so see fair value in the following:
Bets:
Leicester 2-0 HT, 43.0, staking 4
Leicester to be winning at Half Time and Full Time, at 15.0, staking 4
Bank is now at €437 after these were placed.