Leicester vs Crystal Palace Preview

• Draw
• Both teams to score

Leicester City host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium in a crucial battle at the bottom end of the Premier League table.

Both teams are coming off FA Cup victories, but while the Foxes seek to break free from the relegation zone, Palace aim to continue their impressive unbeaten away streak.

Leicester City: Fighting for Survival

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City snapped a five-match losing streak with a morale-boosting 6-2 FA Cup victory over QPR.

While that result lifted spirits, the Foxes remain two points adrift of safety in the Premier League, with defensive vulnerabilities proving costly. Four of their recent league defeats came by multiple goals, underlining the scale of their challenge.

Leicester’s home form offers some hope, as nine of their 14 league points this season have come at the King Power Stadium.

Furthermore, the Foxes haven’t lost at home to Crystal Palace since February 2019 (W3, D1), giving them added confidence. Jordan Ayew’s knack for late goals could prove vital, especially as Leicester search for consistency in attack.

Key Player to Watch

Jordan Ayew: The Ghanaian forward has scored three of his four Premier League goals this season beyond the 90th minute, making him a potential match-winner in tight situations.

Crystal Palace: Building Momentum

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace squeezed past Stockport 1-0 in the FA Cup and are now unbeaten in four matches across all competitions (W2, D2).

Their recent away form has been particularly encouraging, with the Eagles unbeaten in five league games on the road (W2, D3). Another positive result would see them equal their best-ever run of six unbeaten away league games, a record last achieved in 1992.

While their attack hasn’t been prolific, Jean-Philippe Mateta remains a key threat, particularly against Leicester. Having scored twice in this season’s reverse fixture, Mateta will look to exploit the Foxes’ defensive frailties and add to his tally.

Key Player to Watch

Jean-Philippe Mateta: The striker has a strong record against Leicester, with two of his three Premier League goals against the Foxes coming in the reverse fixture (2-2).

Head-to-Head Record

• Leicester are unbeaten in their last four home matches against Crystal Palace (W3, D1).
• The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
• Palace have a poor overall record at the King Power, last winning there in February 2019.

Tactical Insights and Key Battles

Leicester’s Attack vs Palace’s Defence

Leicester will rely on Abdul Fatawu creativity to unlock Palace’s organised defence. Palace’s centre-back Marc Guehi must stay focused to deny Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi space in dangerous areas.

Palace’s Counter Attacking Threat

Palace’s pace on the break, led by Eberechi Eze and Mateta, could exploit Leicester’s often fragile defensive transitions. Leicester’s full-backs must be wary of overcommitting, leaving gaps for Palace to exploit.

Set-Piece Opportunities

Both teams have struggled defensively from set-pieces, making corners and free-kicks a potential area to decide the game. Abdul Fatawu’s delivery and Mateta’s aerial presence could play decisive roles.

Prediction: A Tight Contest

Leicester’s improved confidence from their FA Cup victory and their strong home record against Palace could give them an edge.

However, Palace’s resilience on the road and their recent unbeaten streak make this a tough challenge for the hosts. Expect a closely fought game with both sides sharing the spoils.

Predicted Score: Leicester City 1-1 Crystal Palace

Final Thoughts

This encounter at the King Power Stadium pits two sides eager to climb the table. While Leicester need a win to escape the relegation zone, Palace will aim to extend their unbeaten away run and steer further clear of danger. Fans can expect an engaging contest with moments of quality from both teams.

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Leicester v Crystal Palace, 2024/25 | Premier League