A mean defence is usually the key to survival, but unfortunately, Leicester City’s is the opposite as they continue to get blitzed past by their opponents.
On Friday night, Leicester suffered a 4-0 defeat to Brentford, becoming the first side in Premier League history to lose six games in a row at home while conceding at least twice in each without reply.
Only Southampton have conceded more goals than the Foxes’ total of 59, with their Achilles heel being exploited by their opponents each week.
A West Ham side managed by Graham Potter are the next team hoping to trounce Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men, and forward Jarrod Bowen will be at the centre of their destruction.
Leicester tried to sign Bowen in 2020 when the Englishman was at Hull City, and he’s since transformed into one of the Premier League’s best forwards, with Dean Saunders offering a worrying verdict.
Dean Saunders bets Leicester City will pass the ball to Jarrod Bowen
In their 4-0 loss to Brentford, it was a comedy of errors that allowed the likes of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo to cash in.
Former Liverpool forward Saunders thinks a similar narrative will play out at the London Stadium, as he’s 100% sure one of Leicester’s defenders will pass the ball straight to Bowen in a dangerous area.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “But what I would say is, self-destruct. Leicester, I’ll guarantee you tonight, right. I’ll bet you any money you like that one of their defenders passes the ball to Jarrod Bowen in front of their own goal.
“It’s self-destruct, so they’re losing games, just giving stupid goals away. Somehow, he’s got to tighten the team up and try and get a 0-0 to get some confidence in.”
Bowen will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Leicester, having scored seven and assisted four in the league this term, including two in his last three matches.
The 28-year-old has an opportunity to pile further misery onto the Foxes, who remain five points adrift of 17th-place Wolves.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 27 | 6 | 4 | 17 | 37 | 56 | -19 | 22 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 27 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 26 | 57 | -31 | 17 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 26 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 25 | 59 | -34 | 17 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 27 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 19 | 65 | -46 | 9 |
Saunders offers Leicester City relegation verdict
Leicester fans wanted Van Nistelrooy sacked after their latest defeat to Brentford, with the Dutchman losing 10 of his last 11 league matches.
Another hammering at the London Stadium could edge him closer to the exit door, handing the club a huge decision to make.
That being said, escaping relegation is still a possibility as there’s only a five-point gap, though Saunders doesn’t think the Foxes will survive.
“The way I always look at it, you’ve got to win ten games, doesn’t matter who you play against, and if Arsenal, for example, turn up at Leicester and they’re complacent and the players think they’re going to win before they get there. You can beat Arsenal,” Saunders said.
“That’s sometimes an easier game than playing Crystal Palace, who are fighting like mad for everything.
“So as long as you win ten games, and at the moment, what have they won? Three? I think two or three [sic], you’ve got to win another six games, and I can’t see it happening, to be honest.”
Realistically, Leicester fans are resigned to Championship football next season unless there’s an unbelievable turnaround.