Leicester City finds itself in a precarious position as they prepare to host Fulham at the King Power Stadium today. The Foxes, currently languishing in 19th place, are facing a dire situation in their fight for survival in the Premier League. Under the management of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the team has experienced a severe downturn, suffering six consecutive defeats in the league. Their most recent match ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, highlighting their struggles in front of goal, as they failed to convert any of their 21 attempts.
In contrast, Fulham arrives at this clash following a narrow 3-2 loss to West Ham, which snapped their impressive nine-game unbeaten streak. The Cottagers will look to bounce back and capitalize on Leicester's vulnerabilities.
Match Details:
- When: Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET
- Where: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England
- TV: Peacock Premium
- Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Team News and Focus
Leicester City
Leicester is grappling with a series of injury setbacks that could impact their performance. Key players Mads Hermansen (groin), Wilfred Ndidi (thigh), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), and Abdul Fatawu (knee – out for the season) are all unavailable. New signing Woyo Coulibaly may make his debut, contingent on the finalization of his transfer paperwork, although he has not yet had the opportunity to train with the team. Additionally, Odsonne Edouard, who missed the game against Crystal Palace due to loan restrictions, is back in contention and may compete for a starting position with Jordan Ayew, Patson Daka, Kasey McAteer, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid. His return could provide a significant boost to Leicester’s attacking options.
Predicted Leicester XI (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Stolarczyk
- Defense: Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen
- Midfield: Winks, Soumare
- Attack: Ayew, Buonanotte, McAteer, Vardy
Injuries: Hermansen, Ndidi, Fatawu, Pereira Suspensions: None
Fulham
Fulham, too, is dealing with injury concerns, particularly with Kenny Tete and Reiss Nelson unavailable for selection. However, there is optimism surrounding the potential return of Sander Berge, who has recovered from an ankle injury and could challenge either Andreas Pereira or Sasa Lukic for a spot in the starting midfield. Fulham's attacking lineup, featuring Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, Harry Wilson, and Raul Jimenez, will aim to exploit Leicester's defensive frailties, especially given their solid form on the road and a favorable head-to-head record against the Foxes.
Predicted Fulham XI (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Leno
- Defense: Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson
- Midfield: Pereira, Lukic
- Attack: Wilson, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Jimenez
Prediction
Considering their recent performances, Fulham's draw streak may not seem impressive at first glance. However, it's noteworthy that four of their six draws were against top teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Bournemouth. Moreover, West Ham's win over Fulham was arguably a lucky one, scoring three goals from just four attempts. With the potential for an offensive resurgence, Fulham is likely to come out strong in this match.
Final Prediction: Leicester City 1 - 3 Fulham.
Zainab Y.
Also on site :
- Rainbow road: 2025 Front Range Pride festivals, celebrations
- Thomas Tuchel plays down pressure of England job after Andorra near miss: ‘I have felt more’
- Gemma Collins goes on fat jab rant as she slams skinny people who take weight loss injections