Match Preview: Leicester City vs Crystal Palace (Premier League)

Fixture: Leicester City vs Crystal Palace

Date: Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Kickoff Time: 19:30 (GMT)

Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester

Leicester City, reeling from five consecutive league defeats, host Crystal Palace in a crucial clash near the bottom of the table. For both teams, this fixture represents an opportunity to turn their fortunes around. While Leicester will aim to leverage their home advantage, Crystal Palace’s recent resilience might prove decisive in edging the contest.

• Leicester City 6-2 QPR
• Aston Villa 2–1 Leicester City
• Leicester City 0–2 Manchester City
• Liverpool 3–1 Leicester City
• Leicester City 0–3 Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Key Insight: Leicester have conceded 14 goals in their last five league matches while scoring just two, indicating both defensive and offensive struggles.

• Crystal Palace 1-0 Stockport County
• Crystal Palace 2–1 Southampton
• AFC Bournemouth 0–0 Crystal Palace
• Crystal Palace 1–5 Arsenal
• Arsenal 3–2 Crystal Palace
  

Key Insight: Palace have been inconsistent but have shown resilience, especially in draws against Bournemouth and Chelsea.

Out:

• Abdul Fatawu (Cruciate ligament, return: August 2025)
• Ricardo Pereira (Hamstring, return: March 2025)
• Wilfred Ndidi (Thigh, return: Mid-January 2025)
• Mads Hermansen (Groin, return: Mid-January 2025)
• Victor Kristiansen (Illness, return: Mid-January 2025)
• Odsonne Edouard (Ineligible to play against parent club)

Doubtful:

• Jannik Vestergaard (Physical discomfort).

Key Players:

• Harry Winks: Reliable in midfield, offering composure and ball retention.
• Jamie Vardy: Despite his age, Vardy remains Leicester’s most potent attacking outlet.
  

Out:

• Adam Wharton (Groin, return: Late January 2025)
• Matheus França (Broken rib, return: Mid-January 2025)
• Will Hughes (Foot injury, doubtful)
• Dean Henderson (Illness, doubtful)
• Rob Holding (Illness, doubtful)

Key Players:

• Eberechi Eze: Palace’s creative engine, capable of unlocking defences with his vision.
• Ismail Sarr: A key to Palace’s attacking, a constant threat to the opposition defence.
  

• Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
• Defenders: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Victor Kristiansen
• Midfielders: Harry Winks, Boubakary Soumare
• Attacking Midfielders: Facundo Buonanotte, Bilal El Khannouss, Stephy Mavididi
• Forward: Jamie Vardy
  

• Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
• Defenders: Tyrick Mitchell, Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix, Trevoh Chalobah, Daniel Munoz
• Midfielders: Cheick Doucouré, Jefferson Lerma
• Forwards: Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr
  

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side is likely to emphasise a high-pressing system, targeting Palace’s defensive vulnerabilities. The midfield partnership of Winks and Soumare will be pivotal in balancing defence and attack. However, their backline has struggled under sustained pressure, an issue Palace’s pacey attacking players may exploit.

Strengths:

• Counter-attacking potential.
• Experienced forwards like Vardy who can capitalise on defensive lapses.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive organisation and vulnerability on the break.
• Confidence issues stemming from a poor run of form.
  

Oliver Glasner will focus on a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with quick transitions. With Eze pulling the strings in midfield and pace from Sarr, Palace will look to stretch Leicester’s defence and create high-quality chances.

Strengths:

• Midfield creativity and pace in attack.
• Solid defensive core led by Marc Guéhi.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of clinical finishing in key moments.
• Susceptibility to high-pressing tactics.
  

Last 5 Matches:

• Crystal Palace Wins: 2
• Leicester City Wins: 1
• Draws: 2

Last Meeting: Leicester City 2–2 Crystal Palace (September 2024, Premier League).

Key Insight: Both teams have scored exactly 49 goals against each other in the Premier League, highlighting the closely contested nature of this rivalry.

Leicester’s desperate need for a win could see them push forward aggressively, but their defensive issues may leave them exposed to Palace’s counter-attacking prowess. With Eze orchestrating the midfield and Mateta leading the line, Palace could edge the contest.

Predicted Scoreline: Leicester City 1–2 Crystal Palace

• Both Teams to Score: Yes
• Total Goals: Over 2.5
• Result: Crystal Palace Win
  

Both Leicester City and Crystal Palace have scored exactly 49 goals against each other in their Premier League encounters, illustrating the even balance in this fixture’s history.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.