The latest Leicester City news as Dean Smith takes his side to St. James’ Park with points needed to stave off relegation at the end of the season.
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has backed Newcastle to secure Champions League football and potentially relegate Leicester City at the same time when the two teams meet on Monday night.
City travel to St. James’ Park knowing that points are desperately needed if they are to play Premier League football again next season. If results go against them this weekend, then only a win could keep their fight against relegation going for another week.
The side currently sits in 19th place in the table, two points from safety with two games of the season remaining. Newcastle meanwhile, took a step closer to a top-four finish on Thursday night with a 4-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
That result means that the Magpies are just three points away from securing Champions League football for the first time in over 20 years. It’s something that Sutton believes will happen on Monday night.
Making his predictions, the former striker has pointed out City’s main downfall this season, which could lead to them playing Championship football next season.
“Leicester has scored more goals than any other team in the bottom half of the table – and more than Aston Villa, who are eighth, too,” he told BBC Sport.
“The Foxes have some excellent attacking players but their defense is just not good enough. Even the return of Jonny Evans, who is a real warrior, has not changed that.
“That’s why I don’t think they will be able to compete with Newcastle, who have got a top-four finish in their sights and could take a big step towards that here.”
“This is the game which is going to bury Leicester,” Sutton added. “They will still have something to fight for when they play Newcastle but, defensively, I just can’t see them keeping Eddie Howe’s side out.”
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