Tottenham vs Leicester predictions: Cunning Conte to outfox Rodgers

Heung-Min Son is facing the axe as manager Antonio Conte bids to get Tottenham back on track when they face Leicester in the late Premier League game on Saturday. 

Son has gone eight games without scoring since the start of the campaign while the South Korean's solitary assist of 2022-23 came way back when the season got under way against Southampton. 

Conte has given him fair warning of the consequences of not performing now the Italian has four forwards fighting for three starting berths in his 3-4-3 system. 

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers' problems extend beyond just one player as the Foxes sit bottom of the Premier League table with just a single point earned from a possible 18. 

He will hope the inclusion of new signing Wout Faes for the first time since his £15million deadline-day switch from French outfit Reims can fix a leaky defence that has conceded 16 goals in the first six league games. 

Team news

Dejan Kulusevski will hope to return to the starting line-up after dropping to the bench for Spurs' last three outings.

Son's place will be under threat if the Swede does earn a starting spot and Richarlison, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Marseille earlier this month, continues alongside Harry Kane in attack. 

Yves Bissouma, another summer signing, could be in line to make only his second start for the club as Conte looks to rotate amid a hectic schedule. 

Emerson Royal, who has started every game, is due for a break but the Spurs boss has concerns about Matt Doherty's fitness and Djed Spence's readiness for this level. 

Lucas Moura remains out with Conte admitting this week that the Brazilian will not be up for first-team consideration until after the international break. 

For Leicester, Rodgers will make at least one change to the side that capitulated against Brighton almost a fortnight ago. 

Faes, signed as a ready-made replacement for Wesley Fofana, has been made to wait for his debut because of visa delays and last weekend's postponement. 

But the Belgian centre-back is expected to start at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho could be given another opportunity to renew their strike partnership with Jamie Vardy potentially kept back for an impact substitute's role. 

The stats

Son is going through his worst goal drought in club football for four years — dating back to when he started the 2018-19 campaign with nine goalless appearances. 

Spurs have covered the most distance (671.2km) as a team than any of their 19 Premier League rivals this term. 

Exactly half of the North Londoners' 14 goals in all competitions this season have been scored with headers. 

Since their return to the Premier League in 2014, Leicester have conceded more league goals against Tottenham than they have against any other side (39). 

Spurs' 39 goals against Leicester is also the most they have scored versus an opponent in that time, one strike more than against Southampton. 

Kane has scored 17 goals in 14 matches against Leicester in the Premier League, the most goals he has scored against any side. 

Prediction

Tottenham, who have won four of their last five matches against Leicester, should pick up all three points on Saturday if Conte gets his selection right. 

The Foxes have been beating themselves with some costly errors, while their brittle confidence has been exposed by conceding quickly again once their opponents have broken their resistance. 

Eight of the last 14 Premier League goals they have shipped have come within 20 minutes of the previous one being registered. 

So Spurs should assume control once they put the first one past Danny Ward. 

But Leicester have netted in 22 of their last 24 away league games and could threaten enough to ensure both teams get on the scoresheet at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.