Leicester City will welcome Roy Hodgson’s side to the King Power Stadium this weekend as they look to get their season back on track against a winnable yet strong Palace side.
The hosts who have been cleared to hosts this tie in their stadium following the spike in COVID-19 cases in the city will be looking to pick up valuable three points from the first time since the league’s restart. Brendan Rodgers boys are one of the most off-form team presently in the league, having taken just two points from the last twelve available ( D2, L2). With the battle for third-place and fourth place becoming increasingly competitive, a win here will release the pressure off Rodgers as he seeks to become just the first manager since Ranieri to guide the Foxes to a Champions-League campaign.
Palace meanwhile head into this tie with two losses on the bounce following their narrow defeat to Burnley last time out. Roy Hodgson knows that he has no relegation fight in his hands, but he will be looking to end the season on a high note.
Team News
Ricardo Pereira and Daniel Amartey are the only injury absentees for Rodgers.
Roy Hodgson meanwhile has as many as five injured players on the treatment table with Christian Benteke, Jeffrey Schlupp, James Tomkins and Martin Kelly all out with short-term injuries. Striker Cenk Tosun who is expected back in November remains the only long-term injury absentee.
Head to Head
Crystal Palace holds a superior head-to-head record in this tie with their last five meetings producing four wins for the visitors. However, the hosts did win the reverse fixture 2:0.
Team Form
Leicester City‘s last five competitive games: LLDDW
Crystal Palace‘s last five competitive games: WWWLL
Betting Preview
The last few months has not been plain sailing for Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City. The Ulsterman has had to battle with COVID-19 is now battling with perhaps another form of pandemic in trying to get his side to win games.
The Foxes emerged from the lock-down almost sure of a top-three finish. However, their recent wobbles have brought them full-swing into a fight for a top seven finish.
With the teams under them performing well, Rogers will know that any further slip-ups will see them drop out of the top-four.
The host heads into this tie with just two points from their last four games. In those two games, they have scored just two times and have kept only one clean sheet.
Their form heading into this tie and their recent record against Palace makes this a tricky tie.
Palace meanwhile emerged from the lockdown on the back of three wins on the bounce. Since the restart, The Eagles have played three times winning only once and losing the other two albeit against league leaders Liverpool and a stubborn Burnley side.
They remain a solid side though, but must put up a more resolute performance if they will hope to get anything from this tie.
The visitors are one of the league’s meanest defenses, having conceded few times this season. In fact, only five teams have shipped in fewer goals this season than Roy Hodgson’s men in the league.
Suggested Bets
Both teams to score/Yes @ 11/10
Leicester to win first half/Second half draw @ 19/1
Over 2.5 Goals @ 5/4
