Newcastle United will go into Sunday’s clash with Leicester City buoyed by their first win of the season against Burnley.
Their optimism will also be boosted by the rut that the Foxes find themselves in after another set piece-induced defeat to Aston Villa.
Despite taking the lead at Villa Park on Sunday, they were undone by an unlikely Ezri Konsa brace to make it just one win in their last six games.
The defeat further increased the mounting pressure on Brendan Rodgers, who was one of the early favourites to replace Steve Bruce at St James’ Park.
Despite Leicester securing consecutive fifth-place finishes in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup in May, their form has been underwhelming for the majority of 2021.
On January 19, they were top of the table after picking up 38 points in the first 19 games of last season. However, in their 34 matches since, they have accumulated a reduced 47 points, a run which continues to frustrate supporters.
This has led to questions being asked of Rodgers, something Eddie Howe will be fully aware of ahead of Sunday’s trip.
The Newcastle head coach will also be looking to exploit a potentially tired Foxes side who face a tough test in Naples on Thursday evening.
If Leicester are unable to get a positive result against Napoli then they are likely to be knocked out of the Europa League and that could lead to a rather frosty atmosphere at King Power Stadium on Sunday.
A negative feeling around the stadium could play into the hands of the Magpies who will be only too happy to add to the pressure that Rodgers is currently under.
The visitors will be looking for a repeat of the performance, and the result, of their last visit to the East Midlands as they dispatched the Champions League-chasing Foxes to all-but confirm their top-flight status back in May.
Goals from Joe Willock and Paul Dummett as well as a Callum Wilson brace put Newcastle 4-0 up before consolation goals from Marc Albrighton and Kelechi Iheanacho reduced the arrears.
With the travelling supporters unable to see the famous victory in person due to the game taking place behind closed doors last season, they will be desperate for more of the same on Sunday.
