Leicester City are preparing for a thrilling encounter against Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium on January 15, 2024, hoping to build momentum after their impressive 6-2 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup. The Foxes, under manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy, recently ended a five-match losing streak, and the team’s new-found confidence could play a pivotal role in their fight for Premier League survival.
Van Nistelrooy’s decision to field his best line-up against QPR paid off as the players showcased their attacking talents, scoring six goals and giving the fans a well-deserved boost. The Dutch coach is keen to maintain this momentum, especially after the Premier League confirmed that no team would face sanctions for breaching profit and sustainability rules. With Leicester now free of the threat of a points deduction, the focus is on securing their place in the top flight.
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Match Details
Date: January 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT
Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester
Team News
Leicester City will be without several key players due to injuries, including Ricardo Pereira, Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi and Abdul Fatawu. However, Jannik Vestergaard should be fit for selection, providing a much-needed boost to the team.
On the other hand, Crystal Palace will also be missing some important figures, with Adam Wharton and Will Hughes likely missing from the matchday squad.
Match Preview
Leicester City’s recent performance against QPR highlighted their attacking prowess, with standout players like Bilal El Khannouss and Facundo Buonanotte playing crucial roles. El Khannouss, in particular, is in exceptional form and his partnership with Buonanotte could prove vital as the season progresses. However, defensive errors plagued the Foxes, with Harry Winks responsible for both goals conceded against QPR.
To address these defensive issues, Leicester are reportedly set to announce the transfer of right-back Woyo Coulibaly in the coming days, which should help strengthen their back line. James Justin’s strong FA Cup performance will also boost his confidence, and he will be eager to return to form as the team look to reduce individual errors.
Crystal Palace, Currently 15th in the championship, has undergone a transformation since his last meeting with Leicester. They have lost just one of their last nine league matches, picking up 14 points during that stretch. Their recent performances against top clubs like Brighton, Manchester City and Chelsea have demonstrated their resilience and ability to score points even as underdogs. They notably managed to draw against Manchester City at home and gained points at Chelsea and Aston Villa.
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Despite Leicester’s home advantage, Crystal Palace may feel they have the upper hand heading into this match. Earlier in the season they came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw against Leicester, and their current form suggests they could be a formidable opponent. The Eagles haven’t won at King Power Stadium in almost five years, but they are hoping to break that streak.
Leicester are well aware of the stakes in this match, especially after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last league outing. With relegation rivals looming, a win against Crystal Palace is vital for the Foxes as they look to secure their first Premier League win in six matches.
Predicted starting lineups
Leicester City:
–Jakub Stolarczyk
–James Justin
-Conor Coady
–Jannik Vestergaard
–Victor Kristiansen
– Boubakary Soumaré
– Harry winks
– Bilal El Khannouss
–Facundo Buonanotte
–Jamie Vardy
– Stéphy Mavididi
Crystal Palace:
-Dean Henderson
-Trevoh Chalobah
–Maxence Lacroix
– Marc Guéhi
– David Munoz
–Jefferson Lerma
– Cheick Doucouré
-Tyrick Mitchell
– Ismaila Sarr
– Jean-Philippe Mateta
– Eberechi Eze
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As the two teams prepare to clash, all eyes will be on the King Power Stadium for what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Leicester City will look to capitalize on their recent success, while Crystal Palace aim to continue their impressive form. The match is not just a battle for points; it is a crucial step in the journey of both teams as they navigate the challenges of the Premier League.