Leicester vs Tottenham Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 English Premier League
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These two sides had a few vital clashes towards the top end of the Premier League in the last decade but both sides are in a very different position as newly-promoted Leicester City welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the King Power Stadium for their opener on Monday.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 19th August, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network & Universo
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo, Sling Blue & DirecTV Stream
LEICESTER PREVIEW: FRAGILE FOXES
Last season, Leicester City gained automatic promotion as Championship winners. Under the management of Enzo Maresca, the Foxes were rampant for much of the campaign but then very nearly turned in one of the greatest slips in football history before steadying themselves once again towards the end of the season.
Enzo Maresca has since departed for Chelsea and been replaced by Steve Cooper. Cooper has his work cut out with a Leicester squad that is so different and arguably a lot worse than the team that got relegated at the end of the 2022/23 season with a very difficult transfer window only adding to the concerns.
TOTTENHAM PREVIEW: THE SECOND SEASON OF ANGE
Ange Postecoglou is entering into his second season at Tottenham Hotspur and the Australian has had a good record in second seasons at clubs throughout his managerial career. They will be looking to go a place better than last year and push for a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.
Spurs have done some interesting business with the signings of young midfielders Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray as well as Dominic Solanke for a hefty fee from AFC Bournemouth. On Friday, they also announced the surprise signing of French winger Wilson Odobert from Championship side Burnley.
LEICESTER TEAM NEWS: STRIKING ISSUES
In his pre-match press conference, former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has confirmed that both Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka are unavailable for the opening game of the season with the latter expected to miss ‘months’ of the campaign.
As well as those two, the Foxes will also be without experienced England international defender Conor Coady, who is suffering from a hamstring injury. There are quite a few gaps in the Leicester squad and Cooper has a tough test in selecting a potentially effective unit.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Hermansen; Pereira, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin; Choudhury, Winks, Ndidi; Fatawu, Decordova-Reid, Mavididi
UNAVAILABLE: Coady (Injured), Daka (Injured), Vardy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS: BISSOUMA SUSPENDED
Ange Postecoglou has announced that Tottenham Hotspur have internally suspended midfielder Yves Bissouma for the trip to the King Power Stadium as a result of a video the former Brighton man posted on his social media.
Both Fraser Forster and Richarlison are also expected to be sidelined for the opening day of the season after the pair missed pre-season. It is unclear as to whether new signing Wilson Odobert will be in the matchday squad for his debut after joining from Burnley on Friday.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Gray, Sarr; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
UNAVAILABLE: Forster (Injured), Bissouma (Disciplinary)
QUESTIONABLE: Richarlison (Injured)
LEICESTER VS TOTTENHAM PREDICTION
There have been some really high scoring and entertaining clashes between these two sides in the recent past but if Steve Cooper has his way then this game will be one that is not as enjoyable for the neutral. Leicester have what appears to be a poor squad and have endured a difficult pre-season, whilst Spurs will be confident of continuing on their upward trajectory under Postecoglou. With the added attacking options of the visitors and such a strong defence on paper, this could be a good season for the visitors and they are firm favourites for this one.
LEICESTER VS TOTTENHAM TIP: TOTTENHAM TO WIN
