Leeds United vs Leicester City Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | February 23rd 2024
Leeds United vs Leicester City Preview
The promotion race heats up in the EFL Championship, with the top two clashing this week. Leeds United host Leicester City at Elland Road with a lot more riding for them than the visitors.
Leeds United come into the match on a stunning winning run and will be keen on keeping their home form intact. The Whites have not lost at home this season and have won 12 of their 16 matches.
Daniel Farke are looking to cut the gap to the table toppers to just six points with a win at home. However, a loss would be a big issue as they could drop from second to fourth if Southampton win their game while Ipswich Town win or draw their match.
Leicester City have been slipping up in recent weeks but remain in control of the top spot. Even a loss would see them stay first in the table, but it would see their 17-point gap over Leeds United cut to just six in the last 45 days.
Moreover, the Foxes would be within touching distance for Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Leeds United with 12 matches left in the season. Enzo Maresca’s men would be left sweating as their all-but-guaranteed promotion spot would be under threat.
Leeds United defeated Leicester City 1-0 earlier this season and are looking to complete the league double over the Foxes for the first time since 1994/95 season. However, the table-topper have lost just once in the last nine visits to Elland Road, last losing to The Whites in November 2012.
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Leeds United vs Leicester City Team News
Leicester City go into the game with just one injury issue for the top-of-the-table clash. Wilfried Ndidi is still out injured and had to sit out of the AFCON too.
Enzo Maresca is expected to make one change, with Jamies Vardy coming back to the starting XI. Paston Daka should be the one making way, as the tactics are unlikely to change.
Leeds United are without three players for this match this weekend. Stuart Dallas, Pascal Struijk, and Karl Darlow are out injured, while Sam Byram and Patrick Bamford are doubtful.
Leeds United vs Leicester Predicted Lineups
Daniel Farke is expected to name an unchanged starting XI for the Leicester City visit. They are on an impressive run, and an unwanted change could disrupt things.
Meslier has 15 clean sheets in 31 Championship matches this season and will be in the goal once again. Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, and Firpo are expected to be the backline.
Kamara and Gruev have been doing well in the heart of the midfield and are likely to continue their place in the starting XI. Gnonto has been in fine form and will be joining Rutter, Summerville and Piroe in the attack.
Predicted XI: Meslier, Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville, Piroe
Hermansen has not been as good as Meslier in terms of clean sheets this season, as he has just 11 in 32 matches. However, Leicester City has a solid defense, with Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, and Justin forming a formidable backline.
Dewsbury-Hall and Winks are expected to be the defensive midfielders in the game for the Foxes. Fatawu, Praet, and Mavididi should be the ones joining Vardy in attack.
Predicted XI: Hermansen, Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin, Dewsbury-Hall, Winks, Fatawu, Praet, Mavididi, Vardy
Leeds United vs Leicester City Head-to-Head
Leicester City 0-1 Leeds United
Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City
Leicester City 2-0 Leeds United
Leicester City 1-0 Leeds United
Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City
Leeds United vs Leicester City Prediction:
Leeds United matches against Leicester City have not been high-scoring games as both sides have been good defensively. With more than just three points at stake when they meet this week in the EFL Championship, things are likely to remain the game.
Both sides will be keen on avoiding loss more than going all out for the win in the first half. The second half should see them create more chances, and it will most likely be Leeds United who go for the goals with their gans driving them at every opportunity.
Both sides like to keep hold of the ball and are unlikely to play Route One Football unless there is a clear chance on the counter. The issue for Leicester City this season has been individual errors and they will be keen on avoiding that in the game.
The biggest threat to the Foxes’s defense will be Gnonto, who has five goals in as many matches in all competitions this month. As for Leeds, they will need to be careful about Vardy, as he will use his experience to get behind the defence all the time.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Leicester City
Leeds United vs LeicesterCity Betting Tips
- The draw is the likely result.
- Both Teams To Score: Yes.
- Over 3.5 Goals: No.
Leeds United vs Leicester City Odds
- Leeds United Win: 2.05
- Draw: 3.40
- Leicester City Win: 3.60
Leeds United vs Leicester City Timings & Telecast
- Elland Road – 23rd February – 20:00 GMT
- India: FanCode
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports
- US: ESPN+
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