Preview: Bournemouth vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

The Foxes visit the Vitality Stadium following a 4-0 thumping of local rivals Nottingham Forest, while the hosts have embarked on a four-game unbeaten run that sees them sitting in mid-table; some five points clear of their opponents.

Match preview

Undoubtedly relieved to have ended a six-match streak of Premier League defeats, Leicester now travel to the South Coast seeking to maintain the momentum earned by a long-awaited win on Monday night.

Inspired by James Maddison's first-half double, City's first victory of the season took them above their East Midlands counterparts and lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Embattled head coach Brendan Rodgers will demand his charges now back up that success on Saturday, as they face another promoted side: after a tough run of fixtures, Leicester's run up until the World Cup offers a chance to accumulate points and ascend through the standings.

Only five teams have registered more goals in the top flight this season, with the Foxes outscoring every other side currently in the bottom half, and Maddison's form has played a significant role in such impressive attacking output.

The England international has been directly involved in 19 goals from 24 top-flight appearances during 2022 (12 goals, 7 assists), which represents a figure only three players can better - and only one Englishman, Harry Kane.

Surely his presence will be crucial in continuing Leicester's recent trend against Saturday's opponents, as after failing to win any of their first seven Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, they have now won two of the last three.

Since taking the reins as caretaker, Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil has helped his side put together an unbeaten streak which sees them progressing gradually up the table.

Having picked up points against Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United and most recently Brentford, the 39-year-old is apparently being considered as a permanent appointment, so will be keen to prove his credentials again when going head-to-head with an established Premier League manager.

O'Neil pits his wits against Brendan Rodgers following a goalless stalemate with Brentford last weekend, as Bournemouth met the Bees in the top flight for the very first time. Without several players due to injury, the Cherries ground out their third draw since promotion, and they have also won two of their eight league games so far.

They last enjoyed a longer run without defeat in the Premier League back in 2018, but Bournemouth have also failed to score in each of their last three home games - only once in the club's league history have they done so in four on the bounce: 17 years ago, while in League One.

Having never before lost a Premier League game against Leicester at the Vitality Stadium, at least precedent is on their side as they attempt to simultaneously end their scoreless streak and extend a promising start to life under O'Neil.

Bournemouth Premier League form:

L

L

D

W

D

D

Bournemouth form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

D

Leicester City Premier League form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

Leicester City form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

W

Team News

Though Brendan Rodgers may be loath to make too many changes following Monday's success, the Leicester boss will have one forced upon him, as Wilfred Ndidi suffered a recurrence of the hamstring problem that saw him withdraw from international duty for Nigeria last month.

Fellow midfielder Nampalys Mendy is a major doubt after a clash of knees in training left him nursing an injury, so Boubakary Soumare should start in a midfield anchor role.

Long-term absentees Ricardo Pereira and Ryan Bertrand aside, Rodgers is free to select from the rest of his squad. If asked to continue up front, Jamie Vardy will expect to get on the scoresheet, having been directly involved in five goals from his last three games against Bournemouth.

The hosts, meanwhile, could welcome back three players on Saturday afternoon, as midfield duo Ben Pearson and Joe Rothwell may be joined by full-back Ryan Fredericks on the bench.

Leicester's visit is set to come too soon for Junior Stanislas, though, and captain Lloyd Kelly certainly misses a third straight fixture through injury.

Neto will continue to provide the Cherries' last line of defence and has the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper to play more than one Premier League match this season (82.4%). Up front, Dominic Solanke needs one more strike to post his 50th league goal.

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:

Neto; Smith, Mepham, Senesi, Zemura; Cook, Lerma; Tavernier; Billing, Christie; Solanke

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Ward; Castagne, Evans, Faes, Justin; Soumare; Maddison, Tielemans, Dewsbury-Hall, Barnes; Vardy

We say: Bournemouth 1-2 Leicester City

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