Leicester v Rotherham

Leicester vs Rotherham - Five Things We Learned About Leicester Last Time Out

Five Things We Learned About Leicester City on Monday Night

Leicester City overcame a spirited Birmingham City outfit in the west midlands at St Andrews on Monday night as Enzo Maresca's side captured a fifth win in six games in the Championship to move The Foxes three points clear of second placed Ipswich Town at the top of the Championship table.

But what did we learn from Leicester City's victory at St Andrews and what lies ahead for the east midlands club as they seek to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking?

1. No Vardy? No Problem!

Leicester City bagged another three goals on the road along with creating numerous other chances in front of goal on Monday night and this was made even more impressive by the fact that their talismanic striker, Jamie Vardy, was absent through a knee injury.

These three goals at St Andrews brought The Foxes' goal-tally to a total of 24 goals on the road so far this season in the Championship which has placed the visitors as the division's leading goal-scorers away from home so far this term.

2. Leicester City being out-foxed at the back?

Leicester City sit top of the Championship table for a reason and this is because Enzo Maresca's side have not only scored at least once in 19 of their 22 league matches played to date in this campaign, but The Foxes also boast the tightest defensive record in the division as they have conceded just 16 goals in their 22 matches played overall (at a rate of just 0.73 goals per game overall).

However, having shipped a total of four goals in their last two games against lowly Millwall (3-2 at home) and Birmingham City (3-2 away), can Leicester City continue to outscore their opponents on their way to potential automatic promotion?

3. Give Leicester a break

Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has continued the blueprint that brought The Foxes what seemed to be a highly unlikely Premier League title in the 2015/16 season which essentially consists of Leicester inviting opponents onto them and then winning the ball back in transition and hitting their counterparts on the break in devastating fashion.

This is particularly been the case when Leicester City are playing away from home and their total of 24 goals to date this term in the Championship underlines the effectiveness of these tactics on the road.

4. Strength in depth

Despite the transfer of James Maddison to Tottenham following relegation from the Premier League at the end of last season along with missing the injured Jamie Vardy up front, Leicester City still essentially boast a squad of Premier League pedigree and the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Stephy Mavididi in particular have stepped out of the shadows of the aforementioned star players and have continued the very high levels expected of them.

5. Leicester's one-touch Foxtrot

Leicester City's ability to work the ball quickly in transition by way of intricate and precise one-touch football was no doubt learned at Premier League level where time on the ball is at a premium but this trait has continued to serve The Foxes particularly well at Championship level, especially as St Andrews on Monday night where the Birmingham City players were left chasing shadows throughout large periods of the game.

However, Leicester City switched off halfway through the second half which allowed The Blues to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and increased unnecessary pressure upon Enzo Maresca's side towards the end of the match.

In summary, Leicester City look the strongest team in the Championship not only on paper but also on the field and bench, and if The Foxes can continue high levels of concentration and perhaps tighten up even further in defence, it would come as no surprise to see Enzo Maresca's side back in the English top flight next season.

Leicester vs Rotherham Match Preview

It's a case of top versus bottom in the English second tier on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Leicester City will be looking to post a fifth league win on the trot in the Championship following Monday night's 3-2 win away from home at Birmingham City while bottom placed outfit Rotherham United slumped to a third defeat on the trot last weekend when they lost 3-2 away from home at Plymouth Argyle.

Leicester City have now collected five wins from their last six games overall in the Championship which has helped The Foxes to a three-point lead at the top of the division over second placed Ipswich Town and Enzo Maresca's side will be virtually licking their lips at the prospect of hosting strugglers Rotherham this Saturday.

The hosts have suffered just three defeats within their 22 games but the east midlands club have more than made up for these rare slip-ups as The Foxes have also recorded 18 wins in the process, winning nine of their 11 home games to date this term as well.

Even more impressive is the fact that striker Jamie Vardy has only been used sparingly in terms of game-time while the likes of Mavididi and Fatawu have struck up a dangerous partnership up front and are lethal on the counter-attack as Birmingham City found to their cost on Monday night.

By total contrast, Rotherham United sit bottom of the Championship table and find themselves nine points adrift of safety ahead of this daunting trip to the King Power Stadium as the Yorkshire club attempt to halt a 10-match winless run in the Championship which consists of four draws but also six defeats within this period.

To make matters worse, Rotherham United have lost four of these recent six defeats on the road as they have been handed losses at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, Watford, Hull City and Plymouth Argyle while the bigger picture shows The Millers have managed to capture just a meagre two victories throughout this season's Championship campaign to date.

Rare wins against Norwich City and Coventry City were both achieved on home soil at their AESSEAL New York Stadium but results away from home in the second tier have been simply woeful as the visitors have now failed to win any of their previous 24 outings on the road at this level.

Leicester City v Rotherham United Verdict

Understandably, the odds for a Leicester City win are just way too skinny but the goals market can deliver here as each of the previous five meetings between Leicester City and Rotherham United have resulted in Over 2.5 goals while further value can be found by backing Leicester City to win and Over 3.5 goals.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.50

Other side bets worth considering:

Leicester City win & Over 3.5 goals @ 2.37

Correct Score: Leicester City 3-0 @ 15.00