Leicester City vs Palermo Predictions

Leicester City vs Palermo for this pre-season tie. Leicester City, aiming to extend their pre-season winning streak, face Palermo at the SMH Group Stadium on Friday. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips

Club Friendlies | Jul 26, 2024 at 7pm UK at SMH Group Stadium

Leicester City vs Palermo Predictions

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Can Leicester City Continue Their Pre-Season Dominance Against Palermo?

Leicester City, fresh from consecutive pre-season victories, are set to face Italian side Palermo at the SMH Group Stadium in Chesterfield. This friendly encounter offers both teams an opportunity to refine their tactics and build momentum ahead of their respective league campaigns. Leicester’s recent 2-1 triumph over Shrewsbury Town has set a positive tone, while Palermo’s narrow 1-0 victory against Monza shows they are also finding their stride. Here’s an in-depth look at the upcoming match, focusing on team forms, key player matchups, tactical expectations, and insightful predictions.

Team Form and Performance Analysis

Leicester City’s Pre-Season Preparation

Leicester City’s pre-season journey under new head coach Steve Cooper has been promising. The Foxes have secured victories in their two friendlies so far, starting with a 2-1 win over Villarreal, followed by another 2-1 success against Shrewsbury Town. In these games, Stephy Mavididi and Jamie Vardy have been crucial, each contributing to the scoreline. Cooper’s task is to seamlessly integrate his squad, described as a jigsaw puzzle of Premier League talent, to ensure they are well-prepared for the upcoming Premier League season.

Palermo’s Road to Redemption

Palermo, managed by Alessio Dionisi, are aiming for a return to Serie A after finishing sixth in Serie B last season and falling short in the playoffs. The Pink and Blacks have had a mixed start to their pre-season, losing 1-0 to Swiss side Rapperswil-Jona before bouncing back with a 1-0 win against Monza, thanks to Federico Di Francesco’s early goal. Dionisi, who led Empoli to Serie B glory in 2021, is keen to bring his experience to Palermo and mould them into a promotion-contending side.

Expected Lineups and Tactical Approaches

Leicester City's Potential Lineup

Leicester are likely to field Ward; Pereira, Okoli, Souttar, Justin; Winks, Ndidi; Fatawu, McAteer, Mavididi; Daka. The Foxes might employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Winks and Ndidi providing defensive stability in midfield. Mavididi, McAteer, and Fatawu will be key in supporting Daka upfront, ensuring a balanced approach between defence and attack.

Palermo's Possible Formation

Palermo could line up with Gomis; Jensen, Gomes, Lucioni; Diakite, Saric, Ranocchia, Buttaro; Insigne, Di Francesco, Brunori. Dionisi is expected to use a 3-4-3 formation, emphasising width and quick transitions. Insigne and Di Francesco will be pivotal in breaking down Leicester’s defence, while Brunori will lead the attack.

Key Player Duels

Patson Daka vs. Fabio Lucioni

Patson Daka’s pace and agility make him a significant threat for Leicester. His ability to exploit defensive gaps and make incisive runs will test Fabio Lucioni’s defensive skills. Lucioni, a seasoned defender, will need to use his experience to contain Daka’s movement and prevent him from finding the net.

Roberto Insigne vs. Ricardo Pereira

Roberto Insigne’s dribbling and creativity will be crucial for Palermo’s attacking play. His duel with Ricardo Pereira will be a fascinating watch, as Pereira’s defensive prowess will be tested by Insigne’s ability to create chances and navigate tight spaces.

Areas of the Field Where the Match Could Be Decided

The midfield battle will be crucial in determining the outcome of this game. Leicester’s Winks and Ndidi will need to dominate possession and disrupt Palermo’s build-up play. On the other hand, Palermo’s midfield, led by Saric and Ranocchia, must effectively transition from defence to attack and support their forwards.

Gameplay Predictions

Given both teams’ playing styles, Leicester are likely to adopt an aggressive, high-pressing approach, aiming to capitalise on Palermo’s defensive lapses. Palermo might focus on maintaining possession and using quick counter-attacks to exploit any gaps in Leicester’s defence.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Leicester City's Pros and Cons

Leicester’s strengths lie in their attacking depth and versatility. Players like Mavididi and Daka offer speed and creativity, while Ndidi provides a solid defensive foundation. However, their defence has been prone to errors, as highlighted by own goals in their recent matches.

Palermo's Pros and Cons

Palermo’s ball retention and midfield control are their key strengths. They excel in maintaining possession and dictating the game’s tempo. However, their defence can be vulnerable, and their attacking efficiency needs improvement, as they often struggle to convert possession into goals.

Managerial Analysis

Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper’s pragmatic approach has been evident in Leicester’s pre-season matches. His focus on defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks has yielded positive results. However, his tendency to prioritise defensive solidity sometimes leads to a lack of creativity in the final third.

Alessio Dionisi

Alessio Dionisi’s emphasis on possession-based football has brought a fresh dynamic to Palermo. His tactical acumen in building play from the back is commendable. However, Dionisi has faced criticism for his inability to adapt his strategies mid-game, often leading to predictable and easily countered tactics.

Areas for Improvement

Leicester City

Leicester need to work on their defensive organisation, particularly in set-piece situations where they have been vulnerable. Additionally, improving their passing accuracy in the opposition half could enhance their attacking efficiency.

Palermo

Palermo must focus on converting their possession into meaningful chances. Their midfield needs to support the attack more effectively, ensuring that they capitalise on their dominance in possession.

Predictions

Best Bet: Leicester City -1 to Win

Given Leicester's superior quality and recent form, betting on them to win with a -1 handicap seems a prudent choice. The Foxes have demonstrated their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, and with Palermo's defensive vulnerabilities, a convincing win for Leicester is likely.

Correct Score Prediction: Leicester City 3-1 Palermo

Aligning with the best bet, a 3-1 victory for Leicester is a likely outcome. Leicester's attacking depth and Palermo's defensive frailties suggest that the Foxes will score multiple goals, while Palermo might manage to find the net once.

Goalscorer Prediction: Patson Daka

Patson Daka has been in excellent form for Leicester, and his pace and finishing skills make him a strong candidate to score. His ability to exploit defensive gaps and create scoring opportunities should see him find the back of the net against Palermo.

First Half Result Prediction: Leicester City Leading at Half-Time

Considering Leicester's attacking approach and Palermo's defensive issues, it is likely that Leicester will be leading at half-time. The Foxes have shown a propensity to start games strongly, and this trend should continue in this match.

Innovative Market Prediction: Total Team Shots on Target - Leicester City Over 5.5

Given Leicester's attacking depth and Palermo's defensive vulnerabilities, predicting Leicester to have over 5.5 shots on target is reasonable. The Foxes have averaged 5.2 shots on target per game in the Championship, and with their current form, they should surpass this mark against Palermo.

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