Leicester City will host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium this Wednesday in a crucial Premier League clash.
Leicester City, desperate to climb out of the relegation zone, faces immense pressure heading into this match. The Foxes are on a tough run, having suffered five consecutive league defeats, including a heartbreaking 2-1 loss at Villa Park last weekend. Despite a morale-boosting 6-2 win over QPR in the FA Cup, their league form remains a significant concern, with only one victory in their last 12 matches. This week’s back-to-back home fixtures against Crystal Palace and Fulham are pivotal as they aim to reignite their season.
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, approaches this game in a much more comfortable position. Currently sitting seven points clear of the relegation zone, the Eagles are focused on maintaining their mid-table stability. A recent 1-1 draw against Chelsea and a narrow FA Cup victory over Stockport County showcase their resilience and consistent form, having lost just two of their last 12 league games.
Key Matchup Insights
Historically, these two sides have been evenly matched. Out of 80 previous encounters, Leicester has won 30, while Crystal Palace has claimed 28 victories, with 22 draws. However, Leicester’s struggles at the King Power Stadium and Crystal Palace’s solid defensive form set the stage for a tense battle.
Leicester City Team Update
Leicester is dealing with several injuries, including long-term absentees Ricardo Pereira, Wilfried Ndidi, and Abdul Fatawu. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen remains sidelined, leaving Jakub Stolarczyk in goal. Jamie Vardy, fresh off scoring his seventh goal of the season, will lead the attack, supported by an evolving midfield featuring Winks and Soumaré.
Predicted Leicester City Lineup (4-5-1):
Stolarczyk; Justin, Coady, Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumaré, Ayew, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.
Crystal Palace Team Update
Crystal Palace enters this match with a few fitness concerns, including the possible absence of goalkeeper Dean Henderson due to illness. The team will rely on Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has eight goals this season, to spearhead their attack. With players like Eberechi Eze in fine form, Palace’s creativity in the final third could be the difference.
Predicted Crystal Palace Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Henderson; Chalobah, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Doucouré, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.
Prediction
Given Leicester’s recent struggles and Crystal Palace’s consistent form, the Eagles are tipped to secure a narrow victory. Expect a competitive match with plenty of intensity, but the visitors’ edge in form and discipline might see them through.
Final Score Prediction: Leicester City 1-2 Crystal Palace