Leicester vs Crystal Palace: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Despite the initial positivity surrounding the new managerial appointment at the King Power Stadium, recent results have not fallen in Leicester’s favour, and we expect Crystal Palace to pick up the victory here. Leicester are on a run of six league games without a win since the 3-1 home win against West Ham United, and the Foxes have lost five consecutive Premier League games coming into this one. Leicester City are also winless in three on home soil and without a clean sheet in their last 15 games in all competitions.

Crystal Palace have improved in recent weeks, with the Eagles remaining unbeaten in their previous three games and no losses against the opposition in the last three meetings. Expect goals in this one, with Over 2.5 goals landing in nine of the last ten involving Leicester City and five of the last seven involving Crystal Palace - Leicester 1-2 Crystal Palace

Leicester host Crystal Palace in the Premier League, with both sides looking for a crucial three points in the relegation battle.

Date: 15/01/25

Kick-off time: 19:30

Venue: King Power Stadium

An immediate return to the Championship is on the horizon for Leicester if they do not pick up wins soon. They have lost five consecutive games and are winless in six after tasting victory in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge. This dreadful run of form has left them second bottom of the table, two points adrift from safety. Anything but victory at home would feel like a wasted opportunity to climb the table.

Their opponents Crystal Palace have settled into the season after a tough start. They still remain in the bottom six, but two draws and a win in their last three has created a five point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. Another victory could see them move up once more, as they trail Man United and West Ham by just two points.

This game features two of the five lowest scoring teams in the league. Through 20 games, Leicester have scored 23, whilst Palace have netted 21. The hosts have a much worse defense, however, with their 44 goals conceded ranked joint-worst alongside bottom club Southampton. This should give Palace an edge, who have conceded just once in their last three away games.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta will be hoping to continue his scoring form after he scored a late equaliser in their most recent league game against Chelsea, and he now leads the club with five goals on the season. He should be confident in getting plenty of opportunities against a defence who have allowed at least two goals in each of their last seven games in all competitions.

The Foxes did, however, score six goals in their FA Cup tie at home to QPR at the weekend, a game which van Nistelrooy hopes will give his side momentum going forward. Jamie Vardy was on the scoresheet once more, taking his tally to seven overall on the campaign. He will likely be Leicester’s main threat up front, alongside Facundo Buonanotte, who also scored last time out.

There have been 14 meetings between these two sides in the Premier League since 2017. Not much has split the teams, with five wins for Crystal Palace and four for Leicester with five draws. This run did not start well for the Foxes, and has not gone in their favour in recent years. Four of Palace’s five wins came in the first five games of this stretch, and they are currently unbeaten in three. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park, which saw Mateta net a stoppage time equaliser.

Leicester vs Crystal Palace will be available to watch on TNT Sports 4.

Leicester

Jannik Vestergaard should be available to return in midweek. Ricardo Pereira remains out with a thigh injury, whilst Wilfred Ndidi and Mads Hermansen are nearing returns towards the end of this month.

Crystal Palace

Trevoh Chalobah may return to the lineup after being left out over ‘contractual issues’ at the weekend amid speculation about a return to parent club Chelsea. Matheus Franca and Adam Wharton remain out until mid-February.

Leicester:

In their last five games, Leicester have lost four and won one. After a great start to life under Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Foxes have struggled to pick up points. This run started with a home game as they faced fellow relegation battlers Wolves. They were defeated 3-0 as Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha all scored before the break.

On Boxing Day, they hosted league leaders Liverpool. They lost 3-1, though took the lead through Jordan Ayew. Cody Gakpo equalised shortly before the break, before Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah sealed their win in the second half. Their next fixture was a home game against champions Man City, where they lost 2-0 with goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland.

Another loss followed as they travelled to Aston Villa. They were beaten 2-1 with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey either side of a Stephy Mavididi equaliser. Last time out, they played QPR in the third round of the FA Cup. They won 6-2 at home to QPR, with goals from James Justin (x2), Mavididi, Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy and Wout Faes.

Crystal Palace

In their last five games, Crystal Palace have won two, drawn two and lost one. It has been a solid stretch for Palace after a poor start to the season. However, it started with their only defeat as they lost 5-1 to Arsenal at home. A goal from Ismaila Sarr cancelled out a Gabriel Jesus opener, but the visitors ended up scoring twice prior to half-time, before putting the game to bed in the second half.

On Boxing Day, Palace travelled to Bournemouth, where they held their hosts to a goalless draw. The Eagles picked up a crucial win at home to bottom club Southampton, as they won 2-1. Tyler Dibling gave the visitors an early lead, but goals in either half from Trevoh Chalobah and Eberechi Eze helped turn it around.

A home game against Chelsea followed, and it was another important result with a 1-1 draw. Chelsea led for most of the game after a Cole Palmer opener, but a late equaliser from Jean-Philippe Mateta ensured the points where shared. At the weekend, they hosted League One Stockport in the third round of the FA Cup. They avoided an upset with a 1-0 win. Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game after four minutes.

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