Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what is a real must-win showdown at the foot of the Premier League table, Leicester will welcome Crystal Palace to the King Power on Wednesday night.
Leicester City
Starting with the hosts, while Leicester might have got Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure underway with a 3-1 victory against West Ham on December 3rd, the Foxes have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Although they might have extended on their FA Cup adventure last weekend as they secured an action-packed 6-2 win against Championship outfit QPR, the former interim Manchester United boss has seen his squad lose all of their previous five consecutive Premier League appearances. Getting the New Year underway with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Aston Villa, Leicester find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Putting just a single point on the board since their 3-1 win against West Ham at the start of December, van Nistelrooy’s side face what is certainly a must-win showdown in midweek.
Leicester City Team News
Still dealing with a recent thigh injury and not making a single appearance since December 8th, Wilfred Ndidi is not expected to feature on Wednesday night. Likewise, still sidelined with his own respective thigh issue, Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira will not play any part here.
Bagging an FA Cup strike against QPR over the weekend and already registering six Premier League goals, Jamie Vardy will lead the line. Finding the net in back-to-back appearances since opening the New Year, one-time Arsenal youngster Stephy Mavididi will join Vardy in the final third.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, dragging themselves to what was a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Stockport over the weekend as they eventually extended on their respective FA Cup adventure, Crystal Palace will be hoping for a more routine display here. While Oliver Glasner’s side might still be looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Wednesday’s guests do appear to have turned a recent corner. Last seen in Premier League action snatching a late 1-1 stalemate against Chelsea, the Eagles have lost just one of their previous nine top-flight appearances. Signing off 2024 with a 2-1 victory against leading relegation scrappers Southampton, Crystal Palace will be desperate to extend on their recent charge here. It should also be noted, Glasner’s men have not lost a Premier League showdown outside of south London since back on October 21st.
Crystal Palace Team News
Not making a single appearance since the end of October, former Blackburn midfielder Adam Wharton remains on the sidelines. However, forced to miss out against his parent club on January 4th, Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah will return to Glasner’s squad on Wednesday night.
Handed an FA Cup rest at Selhurst Park over the weekend, French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will be handed a full recall here. Returning from a minor knock last month and now finding the net in two of his previous four appearances, England international Eberechi Eze should play a leading role.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Key Factors to Consider
- When Leicester and Crystal Palace met for their reverse Premier League showdown on September 14th, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at Selhurst Park.
- Leicester have lost their last five Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 14-2.
- The Foxes have conceded at least a pair of goals in nine of their last 10 appearances across all competitions.
- Palace have recorded just a pair of clean sheets away from Selhurst Park since April 2024.
- Six of the last seven Premier League meetings between Leicester and Crystal Palace have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
With Leicester and Crystal Palace playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate when they last met back on September 14th, neutrals will be hoping for a similar affair on Wednesday night. Two camps who have shown their own defensive issues, chances could come thick and fast from the King Power. In what is a real must-win showdown in midweek, both sides will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders. It should be noted, with six of the previous seven Premier League showdowns between Leicester and Palace have finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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