Premier League: Leicester face tough trip to Arsenal without injured Vardy

Both sides on four wins

Arsenal take on Leicester on Sunday seeking their fifth straight win to extend a run that has moved them into the Champions League qualification positions.

There is a fresh air of optimism around the Gunners with several youngsters instrumental in guiding them to a possible top-four finish for the first time since 2016.

Leicester, however, will be looking to maintain the form that has secured four consecutive wins in all competitions, including two in the Premier League.

Gunners on target for top four finish

The Gunners are in the driving seat for a top-four finish with games in hand on Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham. They may well have benefited from not being in Europe this season as Mikel Arteta has been able to name a settled, consistent squad.

He has given youth a chance with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard helping propel the north London squad. Nine-goal top scorer Emile Smith Rowe hopes to return to the squad following illness and injury and he is at 3.55 to score anytime with Saka at 3.45 to add to his eight goals.

Arsenal are still prone to wobbling at the back though and conceded twice against Watford last time out - a home win and both teams to score is at 2.9.

The Gunners have had four red cards in the last nine games – which all came in the space of six matches – and any player to be sent off is at 5.2.

Alexandre Lacazette will be looking to improve on his return of three Premier League goals this season, when Leicester visit the Emirates on Sunday

Improved Foxes will miss Vardy again

Leicester have improved in recent weeks after curtailing a five-game winless run in the Premier League during which they also crashed out of the FA Cup at Nottingham Forest.

They have not conceded in their last three in all competitions including last time out on Thursday when they beat Rennes 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa League Conference round-of-16 clash, and a Leicester clean sheet is 6.8.

They were dealt a blow, however, with the news that Jamie Vardy would be ruled out until April by a knee injury, with the 35-year-old’s recent return coinciding with the Foxes’ upturn in form.

James Maddison is Leicester’s second-top scorer with seven – including two in the last three games in all competitions – and he is at 4.5 as anytime scorer.

Arsenal favourites for the win

Arsenal appear in pole position to take all three points at the Emirates on Sunday given their form as well as their mean defence which has seen them concede just 10 at home. They last lost a home league game against leaders Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

The visitors have won three on the road all season although they beat Burnley at Turf Moor in their last away game with Vardy acting as a catalyst for the team by setting up Maddison for the opener before sealing the points with a header.

Arsenal are at 1.55 for the win with Leicester at 6.2 and a draw 4.6.

Recommended bets

Arsenal win BTTS @ 2.9

Saka anytime @ 3.45

Maddison anytime @ 4.5