This Champions League tie looks finely balanced thanks to Leicester’s away goal in Seville a fortnight ago – a 1-0 win will do for the home side here.
The previous leg of this tie was of course the last match of Claudio Ranieri’s rein. Former assistant Craig Shakespeare has taken the job on a temporary basis for now and has managed to get the Foxes back on track with two 3-1 wins in two games, putting them three points above the drop-zone.
The Premier League champions have found their energy and desire again under the new manager and this was evident in the last two matches. They have reverted back to last season’s style of high tempo, scoring a few goals whilst being solid at the back.
Both of Shakespeare’s two games in charge have been at the King Power and he will be looking to make it three out of three on Tuesday night. In fact, it is worth mentioning that Leicester won their last home match with Ranieri in charge – against Derby County in the FA Cup. Having said that, despite this good home run, will the Foxes be able to stop Sevilla from hurting them?
Sevilla are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions but have only been able to muster draws from their last two La Liga games. They are still 3rd in the table but Real Madrid (who sit 2nd) have a game in hand on them.
Jorge Sampaoli’s team are certainly an attack-minded side and they have scored 51 La Liga goals so far this campaign – only Barcelona and Real Madrid have scored more. Additionally, they have found the back of the net in their last seven in all competitions. Defensively though there are question marks with 31 conceded in 27 league games and just one clean sheet in their last five in all competitions.
The Red and Whites are only behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in the La Liga away form table and have no defeats in their last three on the road. They are also unbeaten away from home in the Champions League this season with no goals conceded to boot. Furthermore, they have scored in 93% of their away games and have scored in each of their last 13 on their travels – both La Liga. Not good for Leicester.
People are giving Leicester a bit of hope here given their upturn in in form in the last couple of games. However, given Sevilla’s fantastic away record and the number of goals they score away from Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, I am backing them here to once again come out on top at 6/5.
See all of our current tips here.