Crystal Palace v Leicester: Goals likely between inconsistent teams

“Leicester have conceded in their last 10 away league games but they have managed to score in all of these outings.”

Palace frustrated by late Brighton equaliser

Crystal Palace are in a state of transition under their new manager Patrick Vieira with the former Arsenal midfielder intent on introducing a more attacking gameplan. Vieira succeeded Roy Hodgson this summer but was handed a difficult start with a defeat at Champions League winners Chelsea. The Eagles failed to win their opening three Premier League games but got off the mark in style by dismantling ten-man Tottenham 3-0 thanks in part to two goals from new signing Odsonne Edouard.

At home Palace are undefeated this season and they continued their good form at Selhurst Park with a 1-1 draw at home to rivals Brighton on Monday night. The hosts led through Wilfried Zaha’s penalty but were denied late on by Neal Maupay’s equaliser which sparked a fiery end to the contest between players and fans.

Leicester yet to find top gear after slow start

Leicester have narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification for the last two seasons but the early signs from this campaign suggest mounting a top-four challenge could be beyond them this time. Brendan Rodgers’ side have yet to find their form this season, currently sitting in 13th spot after two wins from their first six games and out to 15.014/1 for a top four finish.

The Foxes have already lost at West Ham and Brighton alongside a home defeat to Manchester City. Leicester could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley last weekend despite two goals from Jamie Vardy. It could have been even worse for the FA Cup holders as Burnley striker Chris Wood had a late header ruled out for offside. Leicester’s lacklustre start to the season continued with a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Legia Warsaw in the Europa League on Thursday.

Leicester are 2.447/5 favourites for this weekend’s game but their current form is enough evidence to swerve backing them.

A run of one win from their last six games in all competitions is unconvincing.

Leicester have also won just once in their last five away league trips to Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace are available at 3.211/5 and there have been some encouraging signs which suggest this is worth considering. Vieira appears to be developing the team’s style of play and their recent win over Spurs was impressive. Countering that, one win from six league games suggests they can be left alone at the odds.

The draw can be backed at 3.55 and is arguably the best option in this market. Palace have already drawn three of their six matches in the league, with two of those coming at home. A stalemate makes most appeal but this looks a tricky betting heat between two teams that are not easy to trust at present.

A better bet looks to be backing both teams to score with neither side trusted to keep out their opponents. Leicester have conceded in their last 10 away league games but they have managed to score in all of these outings. Vardy, with five goals already this season, always provides an attacking outlet for them but their defensive weaknesses are likely to be exposed.

Zaha carries a major threat for Palace and has netted twice this season with both goals coming at home. The attacker will fancy his chances against a vulnerable Leicester defence but Palace may struggle to keep a clean sheet. Champions Man City are the only team in the league to prevent Rodgers’ side from scoring in their last 21 matches. Both teams to score is a confident selection at 1.845/6.

Opta Stat

Crystal Palace’s Zaha has been involved in eight goals in 12 Premier League games against Leicester, scoring six goals and providing two assists, more than he has against any other side in the competition.

Follow Simon’s bets on Twitter @watfordtipster