Leicester City v Crystal Palace: Premier League betting preview, free tip & TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Leicester City v Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky One / Sky Sports Premier League / Main Event, 3pm Saturday

Best bet

Draw at half-time
1pt 23-20 Betfred

Team news

Leicester City
James Maddison (hip) is a doubt.

Crystal Palace
Christian Benteke is set to return from injury but Kelly is still sidelined.

Match preview

Leicester City are the hunters who risk becoming the hunted in the Premier League.

Under manager Brendan Rodgers, the Foxes had been hot on the trail of title hopefuls Manchester City this season, having sat second in the standings as recently as New Year's Day.

But they have endured a major dip in form since the restart, drawing two and losing two of their previous four assignments.

One of those losses came against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals, dashing Leicester's final hopes of silverware this season, and rather than looking up, they now find themselves peering over their shoulder at a chasing pack comprising in-form Manchester United and Wolves outfits.

Having been 1-6 for a Champions League spot before the Premier League returned to action, Leicester are now 11-10 in places for a top-four berth and they have undoubtedly lost their swagger in recent weeks.

That was apparent away to Everton last time out, a game they lost 2-1 and started poorly.

Not only did Leicester trail 2-0 after only 16 minutes but they lacked any creativity in the final third and a close-range effort from Jonny Evans was the closest they came in the first period.

A lack of attacking impetus has been a common denominator in their matches since the restart, with three of those four fixtures having been 0-0 at the break.

That does not bode well for Leicester going into their clash with Crystal Palace, a team who have enjoyed making life difficult for the division's attacking sides this season.

The Eagles have won at Manchester United and earned draws against Wolves and Manchester City as well as holding top-heavy Arsenal to stalemates home and away.

They have lost their last two games but the first was against a rampant Liverpool side and the second was a marginal loss to Burnley, in which Palace saw 58 per cent of the ball and won the shot count 18-8.

They remain among the most pragmatic outfits in the Premier League, comfortably clear of the drop zone despite having scored only 28 goals in their 32 league matches this term.

They have been particularly adept at shutting teams out early in matches, conceding only 14 first-half goals all season, and a solid wager could be to back the draw at half-time.

While Leicester have been all-square with opponents at half-time in 15 of their 32 league games this season, Palace have been level in 17 at the break and this game could take time to get going.

The introduction of James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho certainly rejuvenated Leicester against Everton last time out but they will have to work for every opening against stubborn Palace.

Key stat

Leicester have claimed only one win in their last eight Premier League fixtures.

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