Claude Puel is ripping up the expected goals rulebook. According to that particular statistic, Leicester have no right to have scored 15 goals over the Frenchman’s eight matches in charge. But when you have a revived Riyad Mahrez in your starting XI, statistics and logic can be thrown out of the window.
The Algerian is back to his mesmeric best, producing three goals and an assist over his last four Gameweeks which has seen his ownership boosted by almost 260,000 over that period.
Mahrez will be expected to deliver an instant dividend on that investment in the Gameweek’s early kick-off. He’ll face a Crystal Palace defence that is without Mamadou Sakho and midfielder Luka Milivojević to screen what remains.
Jamie Vardy could also emerge from the shadow of Mahrez and the in-form Shinji Okazaki to deliver.
The striker has just a single goal from his last seven Gameweeks but will look to expose the Eagles absentees today. As for Okazaki, surprisingly, he will be limited to minutes from the bench, despite scoring a brace and 16 points at Southampton in midweek. His ownership increased by more 126,000 ahead of today’s deadline.
