Premier League champions Leicester City travel to North London on Saturday afternoon to take on former title rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Clashing with Mauricio Pochettino’s men, Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes will renew pleasantries with the Lilywhites and will hope to earn a good result on their final league visit to White Hart Lane. However, with Spurs currently undefeated in the league in this campaign, can the champions somehow claim the three points?

Home advantage the answer for Spurs?

So far, these two sides have had to endure contrasting seasons. Starting the campaign with a disappointing defeat at Hull City, Leicester fell to further heavy losses away to Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea. As a matter of fact, the Foxes have not taken a single point away from the King Power Stadium. Shipping an astounding 13 goals in the process, Claudio Ranieri will hope to be dishing out the pizza this week with a clean sheet.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur are undefeated on home soil and even managed to impressively dispatch of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 2-0 at the start of October. Currently sitting 5th in the Premier League table, Pochettino’s troops will hope to continue their outstanding run at White Hart Lane.

Whereas, on their final trip in the league, the Foxes will surely hope to earn their first away win of the current campaign and build on last weekend’s pleasing 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Tottenham Hotspur are in excellent form at White Hart Lane | Photo: Getty
Tottenham Hotspur are in excellent form at White Hart Lane | Photo: Getty

Familiar foes

Most supporters on both sides will surely be familiar with this particular clash. Coming together on four separate occasions in both the league and FA Cup, Ranieri and Pochettino all but shared the bragging rights. Taking victory once each with a further two draws, both managers will be really pushing to get the upper hand this time around.

However, it is the enthusiastic Italian that holds the better record against Tottenham. Meeting the Lilywhites 10 different times as manager of both London rivals Chelsea and of course, Leicester City, the former Juventus boss is undefeated.

Earning the victory on seven different occasions with three draws, he has great experience when travelling to White Hart Lane. Moreover, it was their 1-0 win, courtesy of a powerful Robert Huth header last season, that for the first time gave the Foxes the upper-hand in the race for the Premier League crown.

As a matter of fact, the Foxes have only fallen to three losses in just under 25 years at White Hart Lane so will be anxious to extend that excellent record beyond Saturday afternoon.

Team News

The current reigning Premier League champions take on Tottenham Hotspur with a distinct lack of options in the centre of the park. Already missing the likes of Matty James and Nampalys Mendy, Ranieri was concerned to see Andy King limp off against Crystal Palace. The Welsh international is doubtful for Saturday’s clash so Daniel Amartey could again come in to partner Danny Drinkwater.

Amartey could come into the Leicester midfield again | Photo: Getty
Amartey could come into the Leicester midfield again | Photo: Getty

Also, despite not managing to make an appearance in the league so far this campaign, left-back Ben Chilwell has sustained a slight calf injury. Other than the enforced changes, the Leicester City team should stay relatively similar to the one that earnt the victory over Crystal Palace. Therefore, fans should expect to see the likes of Shinji Okazaki, Ahmed Musa, Islam Slimani and others start for the Foxes.

On the other hand, Mauricio Pochettino has more considerable injury worries to contend with for the visit of the champions. With Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld already doubtful, it looks like Heung-Min Son and Eric Dier will have to deputise for the duo yet again.

Predicted Line-ups

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Dier, Rose, Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Alli, Lamela, Son.

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Musa, Okazaki, Slimani.

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About the author
Daniel Orme
A Sports Journalist with a passion for football and Leicester City.