Liverpool vs Leicester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Following their stunning 6-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur away from home, the league leaders are now 21 games without defeat in all competitions since their defeat to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool have only lost once at home all season and won six of their last eight Premier League games including wins over Aston Villa (2-0) & Manchester City (2-0).

Since the opening game of his tenure, Ruud van Nistelrooy has now gone three without a win, following two consecutive defeats to Wolves (0-4) & Newcastle United (3-0). The Reds have won the last five meetings between the two sides, with Over 2.5 goals scored in eight of the last ten meetings – Liverpool 4-0 Leicester

Liverpool host struggling Leicester in the Premier League, looking to continue their strong season and maintain their lead at the top.

Date: 26/12/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Anfield

At Christmas, Liverpool lead the Premier League by four points following a huge 6-3 win over Tottenham at the weekend. It ended a run of two consecutive draws in the league, and extended their unbeaten streak to 21 in all competitions. They have still lost just once all season, a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest back in September.

Leicester are four games into Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure, but remain just outside the relegation zone following one victory, one draw and two defeats. After the dream start of a win over West Ham, the Foxes are hoping to prevent a third loss in a row, though face a daunting task away at the league’s best side. With 14 points, Leicester are just two points clear of the bottom three.

There should be goals in this game, particularly for the hosts. Arne Slot’s side have scored 16 times in their last five league games, and they are likely to continue this pace of just over three goals per game against the league’s second-worst defence. The visitors have allowed seven goals unanswered in their last two games. This presents an excellent opportunity for Mohamed Salah to add to his 15 league goals, which included a brace last time out. Luis Diaz also scored twice at Spurs, which took his total to seven.

At the other end, Liverpool are just as strong, with their 16 goals conceded joint-best with Arsenal. Leicester have struggled to find the back of the net as of late, but can look to Jamie Vardy to provide a threat up front. The 37-year-old is the club’s top scorer with six goals. Despite their positive results, the Reds have let in at least two goals in each of their last three league games.

Since 2020, these two sides have met six times in the Premier League. Liverpool have the superior head-to-head in this period with four wins to Leicester’s two. The Reds are winners of four games in a row in all competitions against this opposition, scoring 10 and conceding just two. The last time they met at Anfield was in December 2022, which the hosts won 2-1. Two own goals from Wout Faes helped them to victory as they came from behind following a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall opener.

Liverpool vs Leicester will be available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Liverpool

Arne Slot has no new injury concerns to contend with. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate are the only players out, with their returns expected early in the new year.

Leicester City

Mads Hermansen could make a return this week following a groin injury. Issahaku Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira are out long-term whilst Wilfred Ndidi is expected to make a return in early January.

Liverpool:

In their last five games, Liverpool have won three and drawn two. It has been a good stretch for Liverpool though they have seen some dropped points in this period. This run started with a dramatic game at Newcastle, in which they drew 3-3. The hosts took the lead twice, but were pegged back on both occasions by Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah. Salah scored once more to give Liverpool their first lead, but Fabian Schar equalised at the death.

Attention shifted to Europe against a Spanish opponent, as they travelled to Girona in the Champions League. The winning goal came from the penalty spot which was converted by Salah. Their next game was a home fixture against Fulham. They drew 2-2 despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men. Andy Robertson was sent off shortly after Fulham took the lead, but Cody Gakpo levelled the score shortly after the break. The visitors restored their lead through Rodrigo Muniz, though Liverpool salvaged a point late on thanks to a Diogo Jota strike.

A 2-1 win at Southampton confirmed Liverpool’s place in the semis of the Carabao Cup. Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott scored in the first half before Cameron Archer pulled one back. The Reds were able to hang on to advance. At the weekend they travelled to face Tottenham. They were 6-3 winners in a dramatic game, which saw them take a 5-1 lead in the second half. Luis Diaz and Salah both scored a brace.

Leicester:

In their last five games, Leicester have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a mixed start to life under Ruud van Nistelrooy as the Foxes look to avoid relegation. However this run started with a 4-1 loss at Brentford, which van Nistelrooy watched from the stands. Facundo Buonanotte gave his side the lead, but three unanswered before the break shifted the game in the host’s favour.

A return home saw a win in the manager’s first official game in charge, as van Nistelrooy oversaw a 3-1 victory over West Ham. Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka were all on the scoresheet. Another point followed as they came from a 2-0 deficit late on to draw with Brighton. Goals from Vardy and Bobby De Cordova Reid salvaged a point.

Newcastle were their next opponents on the road, but they were condemned to a 4-0 defeat. Jacob Murphy scored a brace, adding to strikes from Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. Last time out, they hosted fellow relegation battlers Wolves. They were defeated 3-0 as Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha all scored before the break.

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