Leicester vs Liverpool – Analysis, Prediction, Team News
Monday 15th May 2023
20:00 GMT
King Power Stadium
As part of our weekend Premier League predictions, we take a look at Liverpool’s visit to Leicester. Nothing less than a win will do for either side, and Liverpool have won 6 in a row. Free betting tips and more with our Leicester vs Liverpool prediction.
Premier League Form:
Leicester
Fulham
5-3 (A)
Everton
2-2 (H)
Leeds
1-1 (A)
Wolves
2-1 (H)
Man City
3-1 (A)
Liverpool
Brentford
1-0 (H)
Fulham
1-0 (H)
Spurs
4-3 (H)
West Ham
2-1 (A)
Nottingham Forest
3-2 (H)
Leicester vs Liverpool Preview
Leicester come into this game with serious problems. The Midlands club lie in 19th position in the table, on 30 points and two points from safety. With three games to go (they play Newcastle at home and West Ham away after this), it is challenging to see where their next points are coming from. They will likely need at least 34 points to avoid relegation, which is a big ask.
In their previous game, Leicester were 3-0 down at half-time against Fulham and chastised by their fans. They played better in the second half, but the game ended 5-3 to the Londoners. Leicester are shipping goals at an alarming rate (21 in the last ten games) and have yet to win since Dean Smith’s won his first game (four matches ago against Wolves). They’ve only won four of 17 games at home this season and must make that five to ease their relegation woes.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side come into this game on a run of six consecutive wins. It hasn’t always been convincing or pretty, and the last five have all been narrow one-goal wins. However, Liverpool are crucially getting the results they weren’t earlier in the season. Alexander-Arnold’s change of position has been instrumental and vital to building confidence, as was the fact that their previous three games took place at Anfield. An early Salah goal from a yard (after he miskicked his first attempt) sealed the victory against Brentford last week – though there were scares, such as Mbeumo’s ruled-out goal, which was marginally offside.
Away from home, Liverpool have been less than stellar. Five wins and 19 points from 17 games is far below the standard of a side that has challenged for and won Premier League titles over the last five years. However, they have won the previous two away, including a 6-1 demolition job at Leeds. We may see something similar if Leicester are as naive as Leeds were that day. With Aston Villa at Anfield and relegated Southampton at St Mary’s still to come, Liverpool must win their remaining three games and hope that Newcastle or Man United drop the requisite points to allow Liverpool to sneak into the top four.
Team News
Injuries and Suspensions
Leicester:
Might Not Play: Bertrand
Will Not Play: Vestergaard, Justin, Iheanacho
Liverpool:
Might Not Play: Firmino
Will Not Play: Thiago, Bajcetic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Ramsay
Leicester vs Liverpool Lineups (Predicted)
Leicester (4-3-3): Iversen; Thomas, Soyuncu, Faes, Castagne; Ndidi, Soumare, Tielemans; Barnes, Maddison, Vardy
Liverpool (4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1): Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez, Jota, Salah
Leicester vs Liverpool Analysis
Leicester Must Be Better Defensively And A Threat On The Counter
Leicester have severe problems and are still at risk of relegation. They must try to press in midfield in this match and prevent Liverpool from playing through them. Leicester have been defensively porous all season. Hence, it is vital that the midfield three stay compact with their back four and not allow any spaces between the lines that Liverpool can exploit. The Foxes must refrain from offering space on the flanks where Liverpool are most dangerous. Indeed, the defenders will likely have to make many blocks, tackles and interceptions. Iversen must play very well in goal if they are to win.
Leicester can hurt Liverpool in attacking areas. The attacking trio of Barnes, Vardy and Maddison are very direct. The latter will likely start from a right-wing position, but he is not a winger; he is a playmaker and will drift inside to link with Vardy and Barnes through cute little through balls and passes into the Liverpool lines. He will also combine with the three central midfielders. These three attackers are at their best on the counter; if Leicester can win the ball in midfield, they can release the ball into spaces where the three can use their pace and dribbling ability to get at the Liverpool backline. Countering devastatingly at pace is Leicester’s best game plan against Liverpool.
Liverpool Will Go All Out As Still Chasing Top Four
Although the likelihood seems slimmer as the season runs out, Liverpool must win their last three games to have any chance of Champions League qualification. Therefore, they will likely try to impose themselves and their athletic, frenetic style on Leicester. Liverpool have generally been poor away from Anfield this season, but they have improved in this area in recent weeks. The two centre-backs and midfielders must remain disciplined. They’ll likely have to defend one-on-one duels in space against the fast Leicester breaks we reference above. Liverpool must keep the ball in midfield and attacking areas so they don’t get transitioned against.
When Liverpool enter attacking areas, it will be up to their forwards to link up and make something happen. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson’s crossing and creative ability will again be vital – the former is the key to Liverpool making chances, particularly revitalised in his new inverted full-back role. Of course, Salah, Jota and Nunez have the pace and dribbling skill on the wings to come inside and link up or get shots against Iversen. Again, the Leicester players must defend doggedly. Gakpo has looked good in his new deeper role a la Fimino; he will intelligently link the midfield and attack.
Liverpool will likely have to break down a stubborn defence fighting for their lives. However, the Merseysiders will also get opportunities on the counter when Leicester overexpose. Liverpool are devastating when attacking space in these situations.
Our Prediction
There is absolutely no doubt about it: we are three games from the end of the season, and Leicester must win this match, or the odds of their relegation will shoot up even further. There might be a sense of desperation for them, and the crowd will be nervous, which might transmit to Smith’s players. Leicester must sometimes try to play their way through Liverpool. However, more often, Liverpool will have the ball, and Leicester will look for countering opportunities.
We don’t think Leicester will get anything. Football is a high-variance sport, and Leicester have some good players. However, they’re in a terrible predicament and coming up against a side in form, with better players and a better manager, and with something to fight for. This game might be tight, though if Leicester expose themselves, Liverpool could blow them away; it will be a balancing act. Overall, Liverpool will likely control the game, and we are backing them to win by the odd goal.
Leicester 1-2 Liverpool
Leicester vs Liverpool Betting Tip – Liverpool Odds:
31/50
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