Premier League action resumes as Leicester City hosts Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on Thursday, January 16th, 2025, at 1:30 AM (BDT) / 1:00 AM (IST). Leicester will aim to leverage their home advantage to climb the table, while Crystal Palace looks to secure three points and continue their strong campaign.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Form Guide
Leicester City
Leicester City has demonstrated resilience this season, with a notable ability to stage comebacks. However, their defensive weaknesses, especially against counterattacks and set pieces, remain areas of concern. Key players such as Jamie Vardy and Facundo Buonanotte will play pivotal roles in their attack.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, under the management of Roy Hodgson, has excelled at creating scoring opportunities and exploiting set pieces. However, their struggles in maintaining possession and finishing chances could hinder their ability to dominate the game. Players like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaïla Sarr are expected to lead their charge.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Key Battles
Jamie Vardy vs Jean-Philippe Mateta
Leicester City’s veteran striker Jamie Vardy, with 6 goals this season, remains a consistent threat with his sharp finishing and movement off the ball. Facing him is Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has scored 5 goals. Mateta’s physical presence and ability to capitalize on chances inside the box make him a key figure for Palace. This duel between experience and strength could determine which team comes out on top.
Facundo Buonanotte vs Ismaila Sarr
Both players have contributed 6 goals and assists this season, showcasing their importance to their respective teams. Facundo Buonanotte’s creativity and ability to find spaces will be crucial for Leicester in unlocking Palace’s defense. Meanwhile, Ismaila Sarr’s pace and directness on the counter-attack make him a significant threat, particularly in transition moments.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Tactical Outlook
Leicester will likely adopt a wide-playing strategy, focusing on creating space and exploiting gaps in Palace’s defense. Their ability to come back from losing positions makes them a dangerous opponent, even when trailing.
Palace is expected to attack through the middle and utilize long balls and crosses. Their focus on set pieces and creating chances from distance could put Leicester’s vulnerable defense under pressure.
Head-to-Head Encounters
The teams share an even record, with nine wins each and seven draws in their previous encounters. However, bookmakers favor Crystal Palace for this fixture, with odds of 1.91 for a Palace win compared to Leicester’s 3.90.
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Injury News and Suspensions
Leicester City
Leicester City is dealing with significant injury setbacks. Abdul Fatawu is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and won’t return until early August 2025, marking a long-term absence. Wilfred Ndidi is out with a thigh injury but is expected back in late January 2025. Meanwhile, Ricardo Pereira’s hamstring injury will keep him out until mid-March 2025. These injuries pose a challenge for manager Enzo Maresca as he aims to maintain Leicester’s momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace also has two key players on the injury list. Adam Wharton is recovering from a groin injury, and Matheus Franca is dealing with a broken rib; both are expected to return in late January 2025. These absences may affect manager Roy Hodgson’s squad depth and tactical options, especially in their midfield and attacking plans.
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace Possible Playing Squads
Leicester City:
Stolarczyk (GK), Kristiansen, Faes, Coady, Justin, Winks, Soumaré, Mavididi, Khannouss, Buonanotte, Vardy
Crystal Palace:
Henderson (GK), Guéhi, Lacroix, Chalobah, Mitchell, Lerma, Doucouré, Muñoz, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Match Details at a Glance
| Match | Date | Time | Format | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leicester City vs Crystal Palace | Thursday, January 16, 2025 | 1:30 AM (BDT) / 1:00 AM (IST) | Premier League | King Power Stadium, Leicester, England |
Match Prediction
Leicester and Crystal Palace are evenly matched, and this game promises to be a competitive affair. With both teams showing strengths and weaknesses, a draw seems the most likely outcome.
Score Prediction
Leicester City and Crystal Palace are likely to engage in an evenly matched contest, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. Defensive vulnerabilities on both ends could lead to a shared result. Final prediction: Leicester City 2-2 Crystal Palace in an exciting draw.