Tottenham vs Leicester Preview

• Spurs to win
• Kulusevski to score or assist

Tottenham Hotspur host Leicester City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a clash of two struggling sides looking to find form in the Premier League.

While Spurs’ cup runs, both domestic and European, continue to provide some solace, their league form has been woeful. Leicester, meanwhile, are desperate to avoid an unwanted piece of history as their Premier League struggles deepen. Here’s an in-depth look at this encounter.

Tottenham Hotspur: Struggles Amidst Absentee Crisis

For Tottenham, their Premier League campaign has hit rock bottom amidst a series of injuries and poor performances.

Ange Postecoglou’s side is winless in their last five home league games (D2, L3), with their last home victory in the Premier League coming against Southampton three months ago.

Their inability to dispatch lower-ranked teams at home has been particularly worrying, highlighted by a 2-1 loss to newly promoted Ipswich and a disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolves.

Postecoglou has admitted that January reinforcements are unlikely, leaving him to rely on a depleted squad that currently has ten players unavailable.

Despite their struggles, Spurs still possess attacking firepower in Dejan Kulusevski and Son Heung-min, and they’ll need both players at their best to overcome Leicester’s challenge.

Leicester City: Avoiding the Drop and History

Leicester’s return to the Premier League has been nothing short of a nightmare. Sitting in the relegation zone, the Foxes are on the brink of equalling a club-record eight consecutive Premier League losses.

Their recent form includes a five-game away losing streak, and they’ve failed to score in five of their last seven league matches.

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is under immense pressure, with reports of tension within the squad following their 2-0 loss to Fulham.

A draw in the opening round against Spurs provided some hope, but Leicester’s poor record in this fixture—losing five of their last six trips to Tottenham—suggests they’ll need a significant improvement to secure points.

Key Players to Watch

Tottenham Hotspur: Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski has been one of the few bright spots for Spurs this season. The Swedish winger has scored in seven of his last 13 competitive appearances, showcasing his knack for finding the net even when the team struggles.

However, Spurs have only won three of those matches, underscoring the need for a collective improvement to turn individual brilliance into points.

Leicester City: Jakub Stolarczyk

Jakub Stolarczyk has made an unwanted name for himself, becoming the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to concede 2+ goals in each of his first five appearances.

Despite this ignominious record, the Polish shot-stopper has shown glimpses of promise, and Leicester will need him to step up to avoid further embarrassment.

Tactical Insights

Tottenham’s Approach

Spurs are likely to dominate possession and rely on Kulusevski, Son, and Richarlison to provide the attacking impetus.

Postecoglou’s side must address their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against counter-attacks, which Leicester are likely to exploit. Spurs’ midfield will need to control the tempo, with Maddison and Yves Bissouma tasked with breaking up play and driving forward.

Leicester’s Strategy

Leicester’s primary focus will be on staying compact defensively and hitting Spurs on the break. Jamie Vardy’s experience and pace remain crucial, while Buonanotte and Mavididi will look to create opportunities.

The Foxes must improve their defensive organisation, particularly set-pieces, to stand a chance against a Spurs side desperate for a win.

Head-to-Head Record

• Recent Meetings: Tottenham have dominated this fixture recently, winning five of the last six home encounters against Leicester.
• This Season: The sides played out a 1-1 draw on the opening day at King Power Stadium.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

Both teams come into this match in poor form, but Tottenham’s home advantage and superior individual quality should give them the edge. Leicester’s leaky defence and lack of attacking threat make it difficult to see them pulling off an upset.

Predicted Scoreline: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Leicester City

Dejan Kulusevski’s creativity and Tottenham’s desperation to end their poor run at home should secure them a crucial victory, further compounding Leicester’s woes.

Conclusion

This is a must-win match for Tottenham as they look to salvage their Premier League campaign and restore some confidence.

For Leicester, avoiding an eighth consecutive defeat will be their primary objective, but a poor away record and defensive fragility make this a tall order. Fans can expect a gritty battle, with Tottenham’s attacking stars likely to be the difference.

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Spurs v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League