Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 15 January 2025 - bettingexpert

The Premier League clash between Leicester City and Crystal Palace on 15 January 2025, at 19:30 at the King Power Stadium, promises to be a crucial fixture for both teams. Leicester, under the fresh leadership of Ruud van Nistelrooy, recently broke a five-game losing streak with an FA Cup win against Queens Park Rangers, giving them a much-needed confidence boost.

Leicester currently sit in 19th place with 14 points, and with Crystal Palace slightly ahead in 15th place with 21 points, this match becomes vital for both teams to gain momentum. Jamie Vardy, showing his enduring quality, will be a key figure for Leicester.

Conversely, Crystal Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, are the bookmaker’s favourites with recent steady performances and a solid defensive record. The betting tips suggest a strong likelihood of a Crystal Palace win, possibly with a significant margin, given Leicester’s shaky form.

Overall prediction: A Crystal Palace victory given their current run of form and Leicester’s recent struggles.

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Prediction & Betting Tip

Given recent form and the odds provided, our recommended betting tip for this match is to go with Crystal Palace (-2) (EH). Leicester City have struggled significantly in recent fixtures, with their defensive vulnerabilities clear from their lack of clean sheets. On the other hand, Crystal Palace have shown greater stability and the ability to grind out results, boasting two clean sheets in their last five games.

Recommended Bet Table

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Crystal Palace (-2) (EH)	8

Betting Tip Reasons

• Leicester City’s poor recent form: Their last five games resulted in four defeats, highlighting their defensive frailties.
• Crystal Palace’s solid defence: With two clean sheets in their last five games, Palace have shown they can keep opponents at bay.
• Struggle to score goals: Leicester City’s attack, averaging 1.6 goals per game, is not enough to cover their defensive lapses. Palace’s robust defence gives them an edge.

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Odds

The odds for the upcoming Premier League clash indicate Crystal Palace as the bookmakers’ favorite. Leicester City, despite playing at the King Power Stadium, faces an uphill battle. Crystal Palace’s more consistent performances have earned them better odds, as they are viewed as likely to exploit Leicester City’s recent struggles. Here’s a breakdown of the betting odds for this match:

Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Leicester City	3.66
Draw	3.62
Crystal Palace	1.96

Overall, if you’re looking for value, backing Crystal Palace looks promising, especially given their current form and Leicester City’s defensive issues.

Leicester City Team Analysis

Leicester City Recent Performance

Leicester City’s recent form hasn’t been ideal, with a record of one win and four losses in their last five matches:

Home team	Away team	Result
Leicester City	Queens Park Rangers	6-2 (Win)
Aston Villa	Leicester City	2-1 (Loss)
Leicester City	Manchester City	0-2 (Loss)
Liverpool	Leicester City	3-1 (Loss)
Leicester City	Wolverhampton Wanderers	0-3 (Loss)

Leicester have managed to score 1.60 goals on average in their last five league matches but haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of these games. This inconsistency has seen them lingering in 19th place.

Despite these struggles, a recent FA Cup win against Queens Park Rangers has injected some positivity into the camp, with veteran striker Jamie Vardy showing he’s still got the magic touch – a beacon of hope for the upcoming match against Crystal Palace.

Leicester City Key Players

For Leicester City, Jamie Vardy remains a pivotal figure, especially after his recent FA Cup performance where he came off the bench to score against Queens Park Rangers. Vardy, Leicester’s top scorer with 6 goals, will be crucial in breaking down Crystal Palace’s defence.

Another key player to watch is Harry Winks, who partners with Boubakary Soumaré in the midfield. Winks’ ability to control the tempo and distribute the ball efficiently will be vital.

Also, Facundo Buonanotte adds creativity in the attacking midfield position and can make decisive plays.

Expected lineup for Leicester City:

• Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
• Defenders: James Justin, Conor Coady, Wout Faes, Victor Kristiansen
• Midfielders: Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss
• Attackers: Jordan Ayew, Stephy Mavididi, Jamie Vardy

Leicester City Suspensions & Injuries

Leicester City is dealing with a significant number of injuries, which may impact their performance against Crystal Palace. Here’s the current injury list for Leicester:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Ricardo Pereira	Hamstring injury	Mid March 2025
Issahaku Fatawu	Cruciate ligament injury	Early August 2025
Wilfred Ndidi	Thigh injury	Late January 2025
Mads Hermansen	Groin injury	Late January 2025
Jannik Vestergaard	Physical discomfort	Doubtful
Kasey McAteer	Knock injury	Doubtful
Victor Kristiansen	Illness	Mid January 2025

These injuries affect key positions such as midfield and defense, requiring tactical adjustments from coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. Vardy’s freshness after starting on the bench against Queens Park Rangers will be essential to cope with these absences.

Leicester City Tactics and Formation

Leicester City’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Jamie Vardy
• Midfield Duo: Boubakary Soumaré, Harry Winks
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on maintaining possession and quick transition to attack.

Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will likely stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on a solid midfield duo of Soumaré and Winks for defensive stability and ball distribution.

With Jamie Vardy fresh from sitting on the bench in the FA Cup, Leicester will look to his pace and finishing skills to lead the line. However, maintaining defensive solidity will be crucial, given their recent poor run in the Premier League. The key will be rapid transitions from defence to attack, leveraging Vardy’s ability to exploit spaces behind the opposition’s backline.

Crystal Palace Team Analysis

Crystal Palace Recent Performance

Crystal Palace has shown a mixed bag of results in their last five matches, with relatively steady form. They’ve managed to gather 2 wins, 2 draws, and only 1 loss, indicating a stable if not spectacular spell. The Eagles have secured 2 clean sheets in these games, underlining a relatively solid defensive setup.
Here’s a closer look at their recent performances:

Home team	Away team	Result
Crystal Palace	Stockport County	1-0 (Win)
Crystal Palace	Chelsea	1-1 (Draw)
Crystal Palace	Southampton	2-1 (Win)
AFC Bournemouth	Crystal Palace	0-0 (Draw)
Crystal Palace	Arsenal	1-5 (Loss)

Their average goal tally stands at 1.00 per game, showcasing a balanced, if not overly aggressive, approach to their attacking play under coach Oliver Glasner. However, their defensive stability might be key as they face a struggling Leicester side.

Crystal Palace Key Players

Expected lineup for Crystal Palace:

• Goalkeeper: Matt Turner
• Defenders: Chris Richards, Chadi Riad, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz, Nathaniel Clyne
• Midfielders: Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma, Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze
• Forward: Edward Nketiah

Crystal Palace’s key players include Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has netted 5 goals this season, and Eberechi Eze, known for his creative playmaking abilities. Midfield dynamo Jefferson Lerma and the pacey Ismaila Sarr add significant strength to the Eagles’ lineup. On the defensive front, Marc Guehi’s leadership will be tested against Leicester’s attackers, particularly Jamie Vardy.

Watch for individual battles between Mateta and Leicester’s defenders, and Eze trying to outmaneuver the Foxes’ midfield.

Crystal Palace Suspensions & Injuries

Crystal Palace has a few injury concerns heading into this matchup. Fortunately for the Eagles, there are no suspensions affecting their squad, which means Oliver Glasner can largely count on a stable lineup.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Matheus França	Broken rib	Late January 2025
Adam Wharton	Groin injury	Late January 2025
Will Hughes	Foot injury	Doubtful

These injuries could impact the team’s depth, especially in the midfield where Will Hughes’ absence might be felt. However, key midfielders like Jefferson Lerma and Eberechi Eze will need to step up to fill the gaps left by these sidelined players.

Crystal Palace Tactics and Formation

Crystal Palace Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
  Oliver Glasner’s preferred setup is the 3-4-2-1, aiming to bring the best out of their attacking and defensive assets.
• Key Forward: Jean-Philippe Mateta
  The focal point of their attack, expected to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
• Attacking Midfielders: Eberechi Eze and Ismaïla Sarr
  These two provide creativity and pace, crucial for breaking down Leicester City’s defense.
• Midfield Duo: Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes
  Lerma’s defensive capabilities paired with Hughes’ playmaking could dominate the midfield, though Hughes’ presence is doubtful due to injury.
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
  The defensive trio, anchored by Marc Guehi, aims to continue their solid form.
• Notable Strategy: Strong penetration through the wings with Muñoz and Mitchell providing width and crosses into the box.

Leicester vs Crystal Palace Head-to-Head Statistics

The previous five encounters between Leicester City and Crystal Palace have been closely contested, displaying a mix of results:

Home	Away	Result
Crystal Palace	Leicester City	2-2
Crystal Palace	Leicester City	2-1
Leicester City	Crystal Palace	0-0
Leicester City	Crystal Palace	2-1
Crystal Palace	Leicester City	2-2

Leicester City has managed to secure a win, a draw, and a loss at home, while Crystal Palace has been slightly stronger in their home fixtures.
This history indicates the possibility of another tightly contested match at the King Power Stadium.

Odds accurate as of 12.01.2025 19:51, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.