Newcastle vs Leicester City Predictions & Tips

Newcastle have won their opening game of the year once in eight years
The Magpies have lost seven of their last nine meetings with Leicester
The visitors have won six of their league away games this term
Jamie Vardy has scored 11 Premier League goals this term after making just 13 starts

Nightmare start for Magpies

Newcastle may have ended the year with a solid point against the champions, but the omens aren’t good for them going into Sunday’s clash.

Newcastle have lost their first league game in six of the last eight calendar years (W1 D1), including a 0-3 home defeat to Leicester in their first game of 2020. On the other hand, the Foxes haven’t lost their first league game in any of the last 12 calendar years (W8 D4).

Foxes can continue winning run

Leicester’s great record in their year openers could continue here, given their fantastic record against the Magpies. Newcastle have lost seven of their last nine Premier League meetings with Leicester (W2), losing both against the Foxes in 2019-20 by an aggregate score of 0-8.

Leicester have also won their last four Premier League away games against Newcastle, keeping three clean sheets in this run. With the visitors winning six of their eight league away days this term, the Foxes look good value for victory here.

Vardy to make the difference

Newcastle showed their defensive grit against Liverpool, while they also showed their toothless attacking nature. The hosts have gone three games without scoring, which is a concern given that Jamie Vardy routinely punishes them.

Vardy has been involved in six goals in his last seven Premier League games against Newcastle, scoring five and assisting one. The forward has 11 goals in 13 Premier League starts this season and he should be sharp here after getting a rest on Monday.

We think Vardy will fire Leicester to a 2-0 win at St James’. The visitors have scored 2.25 goals per game on the road this season and the hosts have lost 2-0 on three occasions already this term.