Jamie Vardy holds the key to Leicester City’s success against Newcastle United
Leicester City have made a mixed start to the season with three wins and three losses from their first six games and Claude Puel’s men currently sit 9th in the Premier League standings with nine points. Although that is roughly the position Leicester should aim to finish the season in, the team has the potential to do a lot better.
The Foxes came away with three points last weekend, registering a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town after a 4-2 shock defeat at the hands of Bournemouth in the previous game. Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho starred with a goal apiece and helped the Foxes get back to winning ways.
They continued their impressive run of form in the League Cup as well and got the better of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the penalty shootout. The fact that they have managed to string together a couple of solid performances in consecutive games might be a promise of brighter things to come.
However, things won’t be simple for the Foxes when they make the trip to St.James’ Park to face Newcastle United. Although Newcastle are in a deep hole right now and are still looking for their first win of the campaign, the upcoming fixture is unlikely to be a cakewalk for the visitors.
Newcastle have made a disastrous start to their season and the Magpies are currently languishing in the relegation zone with only a couple of points from their first six games. While Rafael Benitez’s side has one of the poorest scoring records in the Premier League, they have one of the best defensive records among all the teams. The Magpies have conceded only eight goals so far and Benitez’s strategy of playing a five-man backline has made it tough for the opposition to find an opening.
Newcastle do not have too many quality attackers in their ranks, but the quality of their defenders is unquestionable. In Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar, they have some solid performers who have defended with a lot of character this season. The Magpies will also be buoyed by the return of Jonjo Shelvey who, along with Mohamed Diame, are adept at cutting out the attacks from the midfield.
James Maddison has been Leicester City’s star of the season. The 21-year-old has been everywhere in the attacking third and has not only contributed to the build-up play but has also chipped in with goals. Furthermore, Jamie Vardy’s return to form last weekend should be a major boost for the Foxes and he holds the key to their success against Newcastle United.
Jamie Vardy, who currently earns £120,000-a-week, has to be at the top of his game if Leicester are to have any chance of coming away with all three points on Saturday. Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have found it quite frustrating to break down a resolute and stubborn Newcastle defence and the Magpies must use the same ploy against Leicester as well.
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Vardy’s instincts and presence of mind to get behind the defenders helps him time his runs to perfection more often than not. To add to that, he is the most clinical finisher in Leicester’s ranks and he does have the ability to score against the tightest of backlines. In the last game, Vardy, Iheanacho and Maddison worked brilliantly in tandem to set up the goals and they should do the same this time as well.
To conclude, Jamie Vardy is Leicester’s best bet to overcome a Newcastle side that will defend deep inside their own half.
