Of all the Premier League fixtures that have been played 30 or more times, Leicester’s encounters with Tottenham have the highest goals-per-game figures (3.80 avg) and a massive 28 goals were registered in the last five tussles between the clubs alone.
Tottenham’s adventurous attacking philosophy under Ange Postecoglou made them one of the league’s most entertaining outfits last term and we expect Spurs to take their cavalier approach into Monday night’s opener.
Harry Winks was a key component in Leicester’s Championship title-winning midfield last season when the 28-year-old complemented his silky passing range with an aggressive streak.
Winks committed at least two fouls in 19 separate Championship fixtures for the Foxes in 2023/24 and with Leicester’s average possession stats likely to drop in the Premier League, he should have more opportunities to stick the boot in this term.
The midfielder spent two decades on the books at Tottenham in the early part of his career and keen to make an impression against his boyhood club, we’re tipping Winks to foul at least twice again.
Like Winks, James Maddison will be eager to perform against a former employer on Monday evening. Maddison forged his reputation for creativity and goal-getting during a productive five-year stint with the Foxes, though the 27-year-old will be out to do some damage on his return to The King Power Stadium.
Maddison averaged 0.97 shots on target per 90 minutes for Tottenham last term and he finished the campaign in third spot at the club for total shots on target mustered behind attackers Son Heung-min and Richarlison.
Maddison is comfortable shooting off either foot and is usually first in the queue to take direct free kicks around the opponent’s area. Look for him to test City’s Mads Hermansen at least once here.
Pedro Porro’s rampaging runs down the right flank were a major feature of Tottenham’s gameplan last season and the adventurous Spaniard averaged a healthy 1.54 shots per 90 from his defensive berth.
The 24-year-old was a consistent performer in the shot markets in 2023/24 and the defender lodged at least one effort at goal in a sizable 28 of his 35 appearances in the Premier League.
Porro’s engine should allow him to burst into more threatening positions on matchday one against Leicester and he remains a hugely attractive prospect in the 1+ shots bracket again.
Leicester supporters were sick of the sight of Tottenham cult hero Son Heung-min before their relegation from the Premier League. The Korean attacker tended to produce some of his best work against the Foxes as evidenced by his superb haul of 13 goal involvements in 14 top-tier runouts against City.
In his last three outings against Leicester alone, Son managed to lodge six goal contributions (5G, 1A) and though he hasn’t scored at The King Power Stadium since 2018, he should have chances to end his dry spell at that venue on Monday.
Son, who has claimed double figures for both goals and assists in three of his last five seasons for Tottenham, looked sharp in pre-season and he is an excellent pick-up to either score or create another goal against Leicester here.
Leicester’s pre-season preparations weren’t exactly ideal and the Foxes lost their final three friendly fixtures in a row without scoring once. Already there are concerns about new manager Steve Cooper’s suitability for the job and a nervous atmosphere in the stands on Monday evening could lead to similar uncertainty on the pitch.
Tottenham won all six of their encounters with newly-promoted teams last season and with a frontline that boasts the talents of Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski, former Leicester star James Maddison and summer acquisition Dominic Solanke, the visitors could have too much firepower for the Foxes.
Tottenham were the Premier League’s most-fouled team last season and suffered an average of 13.40 fouls per 90 minutes across their 2023/24 campaign. Spurs’ opponents also picked up a combined 100 yellow cards in meetings against the Londoners, a haul matched only by city rivals, Chelsea.
With the most advanced positions in Tottenham’s XI filled by players with pace and technical ability, it’s easy to see why they drew so many fouls last season and Spurs are likely to be on the receiving end again this time around.
Leicester finished last season with 83 cards despite the Foxes’ controlling 61.6% possession per game on average. With less of the ball, their card count should climb even higher this season, starting with Monday’s game.
Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur endured an injury-ridden campaign in 2023/24, though he did make his presence felt when fit and committed 1.79 fouls per 90 in the Premier League.
Yves Bissouma was Ange Postecoglou’s chief enforcer in midfield last term, though the Mali international is in the Australian coach’s bad books at present and that should allow Bentancur to assume screening and ball-winning responsibilities in front of Tottenham’s defence at Leicester.
In 13 Premier League starts last season, Bentancur gave away at least two free kicks on five separate occasions and we’ve backed the 27-year-old to bring more aggression to proceedings at the King Power Stadium.