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Leicester will host Crystal Palace at King Power Stadium this Saturday night in a vital clash for the Premier League on both sides.
Each week, the pressure on Claude Puel seems to accentuate, as his Fox team is currently in bad shape in the league, without a win since his 1-0 win over Everton on New Year's Day. They have only scored one point in their last five games, allowing them to take 12th place – eight points above the dreaded fall zone.
Roy Hodgson's team seems to have gone tacky, winning three of his last five games in all competitions. However, much of their good form has been highlighted in the FA Cup after winning only one league win since January 2nd.
The Eagles will desperately want to translate their Cup form into the Premier League, as they currently sit just three points above the last three, before Saturday's win.
Check out a 90min preview for the shock below.
How to watch
When is the kick off? | Saturday, February 23 |
What time is the kick off? | 17:30 (Paris time) |
Where is it played? | King Power Stadium |
TV channel / live broadcast? | BT Sport 1 |
Arbitrator? | Anthony Taylor |
News from the team
Leicester will be bottomed for Saturday at the bar Daniel Amartey, who was ruled out for the season following a terrible ankle injury that he suffered in October. Jamie Vardy could be ready for a return to the starting lineup after being ruled out of the Puel team in the 3-1 defeat to Tottenham. The 32-year-old has not been at his best this season, but has still managed to return eight goals in the Premier League.
The new recruit, Yuri Tielemans, is expected to make a comeback after making a strong impression in his debut against the Spurs: the Belgian midfielder was a rookie at the deadline for the selection of Ligue 1 (Monaco).
The Crystal Palace is in a position similar to that of the Foxes. Everyone is available, with the exception of left-back Pope Souare, who suffered a shoulder injury last month. James Tomkins missed the Eagles' previous two games with calf pressure, but has since regained his fitness and should return to the starting lineup.
Hodgson will be delighted to call on Wilfried Zaha once again after the end of his suspension. Zaha got an extra ban on a referee's clapping match eagerly applauding Andre Marriner in the 1-1 draw against Southampton at the end of January – which had seen him miss the win in FA Cup against Doncaster last weekend.
Predicted compositions
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Leicester | Schmeichel; Pereira, Maguire, Evans, Chilwell; Didi, Tielemans, Maddison; Barnes, Vardy, Gray. |
Crystal Palace | Guaita; Wan-Bissaka, Sakho, Tomkins, Van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Meyer, Schlupp; Townsend, Batshuayi, Zaha. |
Head to head record
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History suggests that there is very little between the two parties, this 71st meeting being theirs. Both teams have identical records, 26 wins each, the remaining 18 games ending all squares.
However, lately, it is the London part that boasts the most impressive form. The Eagles have won in each of their last three meetings with the Fox, including a 5-0 last April – with Chelsea Loanee, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, among the scorers.
Recent form
The Foxes struggle desperately for results, having lost five of their last six outings in all competitions. However, Puel have had a series of tough games, including against Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham, which certainly contributed to their fall in the Premier League standings.
In spite of their indifferent results, the performances of the ground justified much more. They dominated the Spurs for much of their trip to Wembley, lost just 1-0 at home against Man Utd and conceded a last goal in the second victory after being beaten 4-3 at Wolves. However, it is only the results that matter at this stage of the season, especially when Puel's work seems to be at stake.
Hodgson players, on the other hand, get results even if they are not always at their best. The Eagles have collected five points in their last three Premier League games, including a crucial 2-0 win against Claudio Ranieri's Fulham earlier this month.
Despite encouraging results, the results around them – including the recent resurgence of Cardiff – have seen the last eight teams come together in close partnership. Just three points separate Southampton in 18th place at the palace in the 13th. The Eagles will be under pressure to score three points this weekend.
This is how each team has behaved in their last five games in all competitions.
The largest shopping centerLeicester | Crystal Palace |
Tottenham 3-1 Leicester (10/02) | Doncaster 0-2 Palace (17/02) |
The largest shopping centerLeicester 0-1 Man Utd (03/02) | The largest shopping centerPalace 1-1 West Ham (09/02) |
Liverpool 1-1 Leicester (30/01) | The largest shopping centerPalace 2-0 Fulham (02/02) |
Wolves 4-3 Leicester (19/01) | Southampton 1-1 Palace (30/01) |
The largest shopping centerLeicester 1-2 Southampton (12/01) | The largest shopping centerPalace 2-0 Tottenham (27/01) |
Prediction
Expect a tense and tense affair, especially with the current tension around King Power in the midst of what is perceived as a "negative tactic" implemented by their French manager.
Hodgson's team should be looking for a quick start, especially because Leicester has been slow as a starter – scoring in the first ten minutes in three of his last four games.
However, as mentioned, Leicester played particularly badly, despite their winless run. Puel will aim for three points after a tough series of matches, so this Intriguing editing could really go both ways.
Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Crystal Palace
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