Leicester City vs. Tottenham: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

The Foxes face a very tough opening fixture here. Leicester have a very poor head-to-head record against Spurs, losing four of the last five meetings, and given the disparity in quality between the two teams it's hard to see that ending here.

There are question marks over whether Leicester have added enough quality to really compete in this division, which makes Harry Winks, a man who committed the most fouls in the entire team last season (52), a good bet to receive a yellow card in a game where Leicester are likely to be overrun in the middle of the pitch.

Spurs were very efficient when facing bottom half teams away from home last season, particularly relegation contenders, so we expect them to come out on top here. Leicester 1-3 Tottenham.

The opening weekend of the new Premier League season is always a time of great anticipation, and this Monday’s clash between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur promises to be an enjoyable encounter.

• Date: 19/08/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: King Power Stadium, Leicester

Leicester City enter the Premier League after a remarkable season in the Championship, where they secured the title with 97 points. It was a campaign that saw them dominate the league, often outplaying their opponents with a mixture of tactical discipline and individual brilliance. However, the summer has brought significant changes to the club, not least the departure of manager Enzo Maresca.

Maresca’s exit to Chelsea after just one season at the King Power Stadium sparked a mixed reaction among the Foxes’ fanbase. While some fans appreciated the stability and success he brought, others were less enamoured with his style of play, which was often criticised as being too monotonous and "boring". The decision to move on from Maresca has placed the club under pressure to find the right successor, and they have turned to former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.

Steve Cooper’s appointment is an interesting one. Cooper enjoyed a generally positive period at Nottingham Forest, where he guided the club to promotion from the Championship and helped establish them in the Premier League. However, the latter part of his tenure at Forest was less successful, culminating in his departure after a string of poor results. Despite this, Cooper is widely respected as a manager who can develop young talent and build cohesive teams.

At Leicester, Cooper inherits a squad that has undergone some restructuring over the summer. The sale of star midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea for over £30 million was a significant departure, and his absence will be keenly felt. Dewsbury-Hall was a key player in the Foxes’ promotion campaign, providing goals and drive from midfield. His move to Chelsea is a testament to his quality, but it leaves a gap that Leicester will need to fill.

To address the departures and strengthen the squad, Leicester have made some notable additions. Centre-back Caleb Okoli has joined from Atalanta, bringing with him a reputation as a promising and reliable defender. Bobby De Cordova-Reid has also been brought in from Fulham to add experience and a goal threat from wide areas, while teenage midfielder Michael Golding arrives from Chelsea with a lot of potential. Additionally, the permanent signing of winger Issahaku Fatawu from Sporting CP adds further depth to the squad.

Despite these additions, Leicester’s squad still appears somewhat unbalanced, particularly in midfield. The loss of Dewsbury-Hall’s influence will likely mean that much of the creative burden will fall on the likes of Stephy Mavididi and Fatawu, who have both shown flashes of brilliance but are yet to fully establish themselves in the Premier League.

Another looming issue for Leicester City is the possibility of a points deduction. The club is reportedly facing sanctions for prior breaches of the league’s Profit & Sustainability Rules, dating back to two seasons ago. If the deduction is "historic," as some reports suggest, it could significantly hinder Leicester’s efforts to remain in the Premier League. Such a scenario would instantly transform the Foxes from a team with aspirations of mid-table stability to one of the favourites for relegation.

This potential points deduction adds an extra layer of pressure to Cooper’s task. Leicester’s main goal this season will likely shift to ensuring their survival in the Premier League, and the opening weekend clash against Tottenham will provide an early indicator of their readiness to compete at this level.

In contrast to Leicester, Tottenham Hotspur approach the new season with a sense of continuity and ambition. Last season saw them finish fifth in the Premier League, securing 66 points and narrowly missing out on a top-four finish. It was a solid debut campaign for manager Ange Postecoglou, who brought a fresh approach to Spurs after several years of inconsistency under previous managers.

Postecoglou’s influence on the team was clear from the outset. He transformed Tottenham from a side that had relied heavily on high-pressing and counter-attacking football to a team that played a more free-flowing, possession-based style. This shift was well-received by fans and pundits alike, and it led to some impressive performances, particularly in the early part of the season before injuries kicked in.

Tottenham have also been active in the transfer market this summer, making some intriguing additions to their squad. Teenage sensations Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have both joined the club, with Gray arriving from Leeds United and Bergvall from Swedish side Djurgården. Gray is a versatile player who can operate in several positions, while Bergvall is an extremely skilful midfielder with a bright future ahead of him.

Tottenham's most marquee signing this summer comes in the shape of Bournemouth’s 26-year-old striker Dominic Solanke. Solanke has arrived in North London in a deal worth over £60m, a move that has the potential to significantly raise Spurs' ceiling as a side. Solanke enjoyed a productive season with Bournemouth last year, and his ability to hold up play and link with midfielders could make him a key asset for Postecoglou’s side.

In addition to the new signings, Tottenham also have some exciting young talent coming through their academy. Mikey Moore, a 17-year-old forward, is regarded as one of the best young players in the country, and he could play a role in the first team this season. Moore’s development will be closely watched, and he could be one of the breakout stars of the campaign.

One player who will undoubtedly be central to Tottenham’s ambitions this season is Son Heung-min. The South Korean forward was Spurs’ top goalscorer last season with 17 goals, and he remains one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League. Son’s ability to score from a variety of positions and his work rate off the ball make him a vital component of Postecoglou’s system. He will be hoping to start the season strongly and contribute a significant number of goals once again.

This game will be aired live to all subscribed U.K. viewers on Sky Sports Main Event.

Leicester Team News:

The Foxes have no significant injury issues heading into this game but will likely opt for a degree of continuity amidst the arrival of six new faces.

Left-back Victor Kristiansen and winger Bobby De Cordova-Reid both look in line to make their first competitive starts for the club.

Predicted lineup: Hermansen; Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi; De Cordova-Reid, Fatawu, Mavididi; Daka.

Tottenham Team News:

Likewise, Spurs' XI should involve a great deal of continuity from last season, but new signings Archie Gray and Dominic Solanke could come straight into the starting lineup.

Gray will likely battle it out with Yves Bissouma to start alongside Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison in midfield, while Solanke should edge out Richarlison in the battle to lead the line.

Predicted lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Gray, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son.

Leicester had a mixed end, but overall a positive one, to last season where they won three and lost two of their final five games. The Foxes lost 1-0 away at Plymouth Argyle before recording three straight wins in the shape of a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, a 5-0 win over fellow promotion chasers Southampton and a 3-0 win away at Preston North End. On the final day of the campaign, Leicester were beaten 0-2 at home by Blackburn Rovers.

Preseason hasn't been hugely encouraging for Leicester who have won one and lost two of their three games so far, with the win coming against Shrewsbury Town (2-1) and the two defeats coming against Palermo (0-1) and Augsburg (0-1).

Spurs had a fairly poor end to the league campaign last season with three defeats and two wins from their final five games. Tottenham were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea, 4-2 by Liverpool and 0-2 by Manchester City, while in and amongst that they registered wins against Burnley (2-1) and Sheffield United (3-0), the latter of which was on the final day of the season.

Spurs have been largely decent in pre-season where they've recorded four wins and two losses from five games. The wins have come at the expense of Hearts (5-1), QPR (2-0), Vissel Kobe (3-2), and a K-League XI (4-3) while the defeats both came against Bayern Munich in close encounters, by scorelines of 2-1 and 2-3.

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