Ahead of Wednesday’s clash, we have the Leicester vs Crystal Palace preview, prediction, latest team news and confirmed lineups.
Leicester Vs Crystal Palace Preview
After a dismal spell in the Premier League, Leicester City got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Saturday afternoon against QPR.
The Foxes hit the EFL Championship side for six in the FA Cup 3rd round to halt the run of five consecutive top-flight defeats.
Ruud van Nistelrooy named a full strength side at the King Power to ensure a fine victory. The Dutchman was not disappointed as his players delivered a much-needed masterclass.
Now, the east Midlanders welcome another struggling side to LE2 on Wednesday. The game is already billed as a huge six pointer.
A victory for Van Nistelrooy’s side has the potential to lift them out of the relegation zone. Depending on the midweek results involving Ipswich and Wolves, of course.
Back to the league 👊#LEICRY pic.twitter.com/L4O2NlhIqm
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 13, 2025
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in four games across all competitions going into Wednesday’s match. The Eagles edged past League Two Stockport in the FA Cup 3rd round on Sunday.
Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes at Selhurst Park. The England man is starting to look back to his best after a sluggish first-half of the campaign.
In the reverse fixture against Leicester, the south Londoners needed a 92nd minute penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta to ensure a 2-2 draw.
Oliver Glasner’s side will be hoping to go one better this time as the Austrian boss begins to pull Palace away from the drop zone.
Ahead of the clash, the best football betting sites in the UK price the Eagles at EVS. The Foxes can be backed at 3/1 with the draw available at 14/5.
Leicester Vs Crystal Palace Team News
In goal, Jakub Stolarczyk will keep the gloves as first-choice stopper Mads Hermansen is still unavailable for Leicester. Danny Ward remains out of favour owing to his horror show against Wolves.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that centre-back Jannik Vestergaard could be involved. The Dane missed the QPR clash after limping off against Aston Villa a week previous.
Elsewhere, Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu are all still missing for the hosts. However, Kasey McAteer is in contention to feature.
Meanwhile, Crystal Palace welcomed back Chadi Riad during Sunday’s FA Cup win. The Moroccan international hadn’t featured since August owing to a knee injury.
Matt Turner made his home debut on the weekend with first-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson struck down by illness. The latter is set to regain his place if he recovers in time.
The game has come too soon for Adam Wharton and Will Hughes who aren’t quite ready to return to the starting XI. Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to lead the line.
🔥#CPFC // @EbereEze10 pic.twitter.com/DUDBF1tFma
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 13, 2025
Leicester Vs Crystal Palace Confirmed Lineups
Leicester (4-2-3-1): Stolarczyk; Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; El Khannouss, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Vardy
Crystal Palace (3-4-3): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Eze
Leicester Vs Crystal Palace Prediction
Evidently, Leicester have had little trouble scoring this season but stopping goals has proven to be their achilles heel. The Foxes have actually netted the same number of goals as Manchester United.
However, only Wolves have leaked more efforts in the Premier League in 2024/25. Therefore, it could well be another gung-ho approach that Van Nistelrooy’s side will need to adopt to clinch a much-needed win.
From Crystal Palace’s perspective, they are unbeaten in their last five away games. The Eagles will be quietly confident of making it six but we are going to sit on the fence and back another high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Leicester 2-2 Crystal Palace
