Leicester City vs. Brighton: Premier League odds, preview, and pick

Fans will see a mid-table clash in the East Midlands on Sunday when Leicester City plays host to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Let's examine this match, beginning with the latest betting odds.

Leicester City stunned by Tottenham

The Foxes played Tottenham on Wednesday, their first Premier League match since a 1-0 defeat of Liverpool on Dec. 28. They seemed on track for a big win against Spurs, but they were stunned by a 95th-minute Steven Bergwijn equalizer before conceding to him again just a minute later to suffer a 3-2 capitulation.

Leicester’s defensive woes have been due to a rash of injuries, as they have kept just two clean sheets in their last 22 matches in all competitions, and just one in the Premier League since mid-September. Their 36 goals conceded are the most of any club not currently in the bottom six, and they have conceded the second-most shots in the league behind basement-dwelling Burnley.

Opponents have scored multiple goals against Leicester in seven of their last 10 outings, as the Foxes have suffered defeat in three of their last five league matches. They will be helped with the return of Daniel Amartey, who came back ahead of schedule from the Africa Cup of Nations after Ghana were shocked and knocked out during the group stage.

However, manager Brendan Rodgers will be without 10 players on Sunday, including Jamie Vardy, Wesley Fofana, Ricardo Pereira, Ryan Bertrand, Jonny Evans, and Timothy Castagne, all of whom are injured. Additionally, they will also be without AFCON participants Wilfred Ndidi, Nampalys Mendy, and Kelechi Iheanacho. Boubakary Soumare was an available sub on Wednesday and James Justin came on as a substitute, his first appearance in nearly a full year after injury. Both players are available for Sunday.

Brighton lead the league in draws

The Seagulls are coming off a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday, where they were arguably the better team on the day but needed a late equalizer to secure a point. Their second draw of that scoreline against the Blues in the past five league matches, Brighton are unbeaten during that stretch with a pair of victory and a trio of draws.

Over their last 10 matches, Brighton have suffered just one defeat, taking a result in 12 of their last 14 matches in all competitions. Their last defeat took place in a 2-0 match against Aston Villa on Nov. 20, and they have made life difficult for everyone they have played. Villa are the only side to score multiple goals in Brighton’s last 10 matches as well, but they have kept just two clean sheets in that stretch.

Manager Graham Potter has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss the match, and assistant Billy Reid will be without Jeremy Sarmiento, Yves Bissouma, Jason Steele, Enock Mwepu, Shane Duffy, and Adam Lallana. However, Lewis Dunk may be available as a substitute, and both Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard could feature after not starting against Chelsea. They also will have the services of Tariq Lamptey, although he will likely not start.

Leicester City and Brighton Betting Trends

• There have been fewer than three goals scored in 10 of Brighton’s last 11 matches
• Seven of Leicester’s last eight matches have seen three or more goals tallied
• The last three meetings in all competitions between Leicester and Brighton have seen at least three goals scored
• Brighton have taken victory in just one of the last 11 meetings between these two clubs, a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in September
• Each of Brighton’s last five draws have seem them equalize in the second half, with four of those coming on goals scored after the 85th minute of the match

Jump on the draw

While the absence of Potter could be an issue, I believe this team has more than enough cohesion and knowledge of their system to get the job done again this weekend. The draw currently offers exceptional value to bettors willing to take it, and I am one of them.

Jump on the draw for the final result of this match, the result of 11 of Brighton’s last 16 Premier League matches. For a truly profitable day, combine a 1-1 exact score with both teams to score in a Same Game Combo play.

Score prediction: Leicester City 1-1 Brighton

Premier League PICK: DRAW (+230)

SAME GAME COMBO: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE YES / 1-1 CORRECT SCORE (+540)