The Daily Star Ireland
It has been tough times for Leicester since going back to the Premier League, currently 19th in the table, two points from safety. They are struggling to get out of this bad run of form with only one win in their last 12 league games, complemented by two draws and nine losses. The latest setbacks include a heavy defeat to Newcastle 4-0, Wolverhampton 3-0, Liverpool 3-1, Manchester City 2-0, and the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa. This past weekend Leicester met Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup.
Crystal Palace stands 15th in the league and has a five-point cushion above the relegation zone. Although spending a lot of this season in and around the bottom of the table, the Eagles have risen gradually since late November. The visitors have lost only once in their last nine matches, to Arsenal, while recording three wins and five draws. Following a 2-1 win over Southampton and a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at home, Palace hosted Stockport County in the FA Cup last weekend.
Leicester will come into this game with several players missing. First-choice goalkeeper Hermansen, midfielder Ndidi, wingers Fatawu and McAteer, and backup full-back Ricardo Pereira are all ruled out. In attack, ex-Montpellier man Mavididi should start after scoring in the last match and netting three times in the league this season, along with Buonanotte – four goals and two assists, and veteran Vardy – six goals and three assists.
Crystal Palace also faces some key absentees, including midfielders Wharton and Hugues, as well as long-term injury absentee Matheus França. Leading the attack is Mateta, the team’s top scorer with five goals this season, supported by Eze (two goals and three assists) and Sarr (four goals and two assists).
Prediction
Leicester have recently been poor on their home field, losing four out of the previous five Premier League fixtures in front of their fans. Therefore, Crystal Palace has been catching form against their fellow teams and does seem well-placed for a winning outcome to continue their fine trajectory.
Prediction: Leicester 0-2 Crystal Palace
