Game week 35’s early opener pits a Leicester City side bristling with confidence against a floundering Newcastle United outfit. Despite falling to a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last time out, the Foxes have posted four wins in their last five. The Magpies, meanwhile, strive to arrest a seven-match losing streak that stretches back to mid-February.
Nigel Pearson’s men have discovered their scoring touch of late, netting the joint-highest number of goals (12) in the last six Gameweeks. Jamie Vardy’s return to form has been instrumental, with the pacy striker notching three goals and as many assists in his previous six starts. Leicester’s rearguard has been much improved, too, and, having secured back-to-back clean sheets prior to the Chelsea defeat, will fancy their chances of another shut-out given that Newcastle have recorded just five goals in nine Gameweeks. Pearson makes three changes to his teamsheet today as Jeffrey Schlupp is fit to return at wing-back. Riyad Mahrez is also recalled, while Matt James comes in for the injured Andy King.
Newcastle will look to Ayoze Perez to provide a much-needed spark up front, with Siem De Jong still not fit enough to start and Papiss Cisse serving the last match of his ban in this encounter. Perez posed a significant threat when he tallied his sixth goal of the season during the Toon’s 3-2 defeat to Swansea City – no single Gameweek forward produced more attempts inside the box than the Spaniard’s four last time out. Perez starts along with Paul Dummett who returns to the defence following injury. Moussa Sissoko is also recalled having served out a three-match ban. Vurnon Anita and Remy Cabella drop to the bench.
