Leicester vs Crystal Palace Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

Leicester’s midweek victory at home to Copenhagen means that they now have more points in their three Champions League games than they have managed in eight Premier League outings. Claudio Ranieri stated that this difference in performance angered him, but it’s better than them performing poorly on all fronts.

They may have won all three of their Champions League outings, but in the Premier League they have won just twice, drawing twice and losing four times. Some of these defeats incurred a heavy defeat, such as 4-1 losses to Manchester United and Liverpool and a 3-0 loss to Chelsea. All of their defeats came on the road though. At home they are unbeaten since the end of last September. Two of their four Premier League outings at the King Power Stadium this season have ended all square though.

Club record signing Islam Slimami is the one to watch for Leicester. The new boy has netted twice in the league at home this season and has scored a Champions League goal there as well. Riyad Mahrez has banged three in in the Champions League, but only has one to his name in the Premier League. However, at odds of 21/10 to score anytime he seems to be the most valuable Leicester player to back, especially considering he scored in midweek.

Crystal Palace have the biggest danger man on the pitch though. New signing Christian Benteke has scored three Premier League goals for his new club, and were it not for a bad day at the office last weekend he could have had more. All of his goals have come away from home as well, and he recently netted a hat trick for Belgium to make for a very promising start to the season. You could do a lot worse than backing him to find the net at 2/1.

As mentioned before, Benteke had an awful time last weekend as he missed a penalty and then headed against the post moments later. Crystal Palace lost that match 1-0 against the out of form West Ham, but in general they are in good form at the moment. That was their first Premier League defeat in six games, with two of those ending all square. Away from home they have won two, drawn one, and lost one of their four league matches.

Leicester, with their attack-minded full backs, have also had an issue dealing with wingers this season. This will play into Crystal Palace’s hands as they feed the ball out to Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha. Not only that, but Leicester have conceded five goals from set pieces this season, whilst Crystal Palace have scored four from set plays themselves. Benteke is a huge danger from these set pieces with his height and strength, so that strengthens his chances of getting on the score-sheet.

This all looks very good for the visitors coming into this game, especially since Leicester will be tired after a tough midweek game. It’s important to remember that Leicester haven’t lost at home in over a year though, so I think the best option is to back a Draw on Saturday at 23/10 along with a 1-1 correct score prediction at 6/1.