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Leicester City’s anticipated resurgence under Brendan Rodgers is now in full swing and they can make it five wins on the bounce in the Friday Night Football match against Newcastle.
Rodgers was fully expected, certainly by us, to make a swift positive impact with his new club after leaving Celtic at such a surprising stage of the season – and there may well be a tangible reward at the end of the campaign.
The Foxes will be hoping Manchester City beat Watford to lift the FA Cup as that would mean the team that finishes seventh in the Premier League would enter the Europa League, and the 2015-16 champions are on course to do that as a result of their superb current form.
After an initial defeat away to Watford, Leicester have won their last four games, scoring 11 goals, with Jamie Vardy, James Morrison and on-loan Youri Tielemans their most dangerous attacking players.
It has become a tight battle for the ‘best of the rest’ status outside the top six but Leicester are now shading it and looking difficult to depose.
Newcastle, after a good couple of months, have gone off the boil somewhat as their relegation fears have eased and we can see them going the same way here as Leicester’s last few opponents.
While the visitors should be safe from relegation, Rafa Benitez's side aren't yet assured of their top-flight status. Much of the Magpies' issues stem from a lack of threat in the final third, especially on the road. A tally of 12 goals in 16 games away from St. James' Park is the worst total of any team outside the bottom three.
By contrast, Leicester are enjoying a purple patch under their new manager, scoring 14 goals since Rodgers' arrival.