Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion predictions for this crucial Championship clash. Leicester City, second in the Championship, host fifth-placed West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, aiming to maintain their automatic promotion hopes. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Gameweek 45 – Apr 20, 2024 at 12:30pm UK at King Power Stadium

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Predictions

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Crucial Clash at King Power: Promotion Aspirations on the Line

As the Championship season draws to a tense close, Leicester City host West Bromwich Albion in a crucial match at the King Power Stadium. Both teams are embroiled in the promotion chase, with Leicester aiming to solidify their automatic promotion spot and West Brom seeking to secure a playoff position.

Current Form and Team Dynamics

Leicester City, once leaders of the pack, have seen their form dip alarmingly in the latter stages of the season. With six defeats in their last ten games, their once formidable lead has evaporated, leaving them clinging to second place. The team’s main issues have been defensive vulnerabilities and an inability to maintain their early-season scoring prowess.

West Brom, meanwhile, have shown resilience on the road, remaining unbeaten in their last seven away league matches. However, consistency has eluded them, with a mix of draws and a few wins keeping them in the playoff hunt but not securely within it.

Tactical Setup and Key Battles

Leicester City’s tactical approach under Enzo Maresca has been proactive, favouring possession-based football. However, recent matches have exposed their defensive frailties, particularly in transitioning from attack to defence.

West Brom, under Carlos Corberan, have shown tactical versatility, often adapting their style to counteract the strengths of their opponents. The key battle will likely be in midfield, where Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and West Brom’s Alex Mowatt will play pivotal roles in dictating the tempo of the game.

Pros and Cons of Team Strategies

Leicester City:

• Pros: Strong in maintaining possession, high pressing when in top form, and capable of scoring from various channels.
• Cons: Recent defensive lapses, struggle under pressure, and a lack of clinical finishing in crucial moments.

West Brom:

• Pros: Good counter-attacking team, strong defensive setup on their day, and resilient in away matches.
• Cons: Inconsistent in front of goal, sometimes overly cautious in approach which leads to draws.

Managerial Insight

Enzo Maresca’s side has shown cracks under pressure, a concern the manager must address to ensure they do not falter at this final hurdle. His challenge will be to reinstill confidence and solidity at the back while maintaining their attacking output.

Carlos Corberan has managed to keep West Brom competitive despite a less talented squad on paper. His ability to get the best out of his players in away games will be crucial, especially in a high-stakes match like this.

Predictions and Betting Angles

Best Bet: Draw

Given the pressure on both teams in the chase for promotion and playoff spots, a draw seems a prudent choice for the best bet. Leicester City, despite playing at home, have been faltering recently with a worrying dip in form that has seen them struggle, particularly defensively.

On the other hand, West Brom has demonstrated resilience on the road, managing to secure points in tough away fixtures. Both teams have shown a tendency to concede goals but also have the quality to score, suggesting that a stalemate is a likely outcome as neither side will want to risk losing crucial points at such a late stage in the season.

Correct Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw

This prediction dovetails with the expectation of a draw, reflecting the recent performances and results of both teams. Leicester City’s recent matches have often been close affairs with goals scored at both ends, indicating their ability to find the net but also their susceptibility at the back.

West Brom, similarly, have been part of several high-scoring draws on their travels, evidencing their capability to score against the run of play. A 1-1 draw seems a logical outcome, balancing Leicester’s attacking prowess and home advantage with West Brom’s solid away form and tactical discipline.

Goalscorer Prediction: Jamie Vardy to Score Anytime

Jamie Vardy remains a significant threat due to his pace, experience, and clinical finishing ability. Despite Leicester’s recent issues, Vardy has continued to be a focal point in their attack, making crucial contributions when needed.

Against a West Brom side that has shown occasional defensive frailties, particularly in away games, Vardy’s knack for exploiting gaps in the defence makes him a strong candidate to get on the scoresheet. His predatory instincts and proven track record in crucial matches add weight to this prediction.

First Team to Score: Leicester City

Leicester City are likely to start the match aggressively, especially given the stakes. Playing in front of their home crowd at the King Power Stadium, they will want to assert themselves early on to control the game’s tempo.

Historically, Leicester have shown the ability to score early in games during crucial home fixtures, and with the offensive talents at their disposal, they could well breach West Brom’s defence first. This prediction is underpinned by Leicester’s need to rebound from their recent setbacks and take the initiative in a critical match for their promotion hopes.

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