Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
A section of Spurs fans appear to have an issue with Leicester City Football Club.
This observer traces it back to 2016 and the miracle that was the Foxes’ unforgettable Premier League triumph – the ultimate fairytale of this and many other generations.
Yet a portion of those in North London don’t see it that way. In their view, they were the better team that campaign and should have secured their spot as England’s number one.
A clear bitterness still prevails, perhaps even more perturbed that they were ultimately pipped for the runners-up spit by their arch-rivals Arsenal. Seven years on and, as they prepare to meet in a Club Friendly in Thailand, it truly is all change for both clubs.
Talking Points
For a start, take Leicester City. After punching above their weight and upsetting the big boys for so long – including a 4-1 thrashing of Spurs as recently as February – they are now not even in the same division.
The Foxes’ relegation, just two years after they won the FA Cup and secured a second successive fifth placed finish, was a position no one saw coming and has led to an exodus of a number of its leading performers over the past six weeks.
None more so than James Maddison who was never going to play outside the top-flight as he fights to retain his position in the England squad.
His departure is not the first, of course, with Youri Tielemans snapped up by Aston Villa and Newcastle set to pip West Ham to the signature of the talented Harvey Barnes.
Leicester wanted £40 million for Barnes but have reportedly settled on a £38 million compromise. The 25-year-old scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season and is keen for a new challenge.
The highest profile loss, though, will likely be Maddison – an enigmatic figure and infuriating to watch at times – but a player who now has the chance to show he really is the top-class midfielder many rave about.
While it remains to be seen how Leicester invest the funds they have received for Barnes and Maddison – and they must invest as failure to do so last summer cost them their top-flight status – Spurs are facing a dilemma of their own. They began their pre-season in earnest with a 3-2 defeat at West Ham on Tuesday, a match in which captain Harry Kane, who they are desperately trying to keep hold of, figured for the first time under new boss Ange Postecoglou.
There were Club Friendly 2023 highlights and lowlights for him to consider as the game produced a glimpse of perhaps the way his new charges will attack, as well as all too familiar frailties in defence.
Keeping Kane from the clutches of Bayern Munich and PSG remains, you would think, would be the difference between Spurs having a decent season and a very good campaign next term.
That is more evident as Postecoglou has a mini-rebuild to oversee, highlighted by the fact he has taken 31 players with him on tour with a further five in London recovering from injury.
As an exercise then, this meeting in Thailand may well contain glimpses of what is to come for both clubs, but for now at least without the edge that has accompanied pretty much all of their clashes since 2016.
It’s all change for the Foxes and the Lilywhites.
History
Spurs have largely held the upper hand over the Foxes since the underdogs pipped them to the Premier League title in 2016.
Last season, both clubs had one win apiece and they were big wins.
In September, Son Heung-Min grabbed a hat-trick as a second half substitute in a 6-2 romp at White Hart Lane.
It was a different scenario in February at the King Power Stadium as Leicester ran out 4-1 winners, courtesy of goals from Nampalys Mendy, Maddison, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Barnes – all this after Rodrigo Bentancur had put Spurs ahead.
Fans may recall January last year when Steven Bergwijn scored two injury-time goals (95 and 97 minutes).
The victory also set a new Premier League feat as Spurs were behind at 94 minutes, 52 seconds – the latest time a team has been behind before winning a Premier League match.
Kane was a scorer that night and, despite an already prolific record, seems to find an extra gear whenever he faces off against Leicester.
In fact, he has scored against them 18 times since 2014, and he might find the back of the net again this weekend, according to the Club Friendly 2023 odds. Overall, Spurs have 61 successes to Leicester’s 378 with 21 games ending all square.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
