West Bromwich Albion vs Leicester City predictions for Saturday’s Championship clash. West Bromwich Albion, riding the momentum of consecutive victories, face the ultimate test of their promotion aspirations as they host Leicester City at The Hawthorns in a Saturday lunchtime clash. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
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Match Live Saturday, 2nd December at 12:30 pm In:
West Bromwich Albion vs Leicester City Predictions
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The Hawthorns Showdown: West Brom’s Resolve vs Leicester’s Wavering Dominance
Key Stats
– Leicester City’s vulnerability: Failed to win 3 of their last 4 league games.
– The Baggies’ defensive strength: Conceded only 1 goal in their last 6 home games.
West Bromwich Albion: Under Carlos Corberan, West Bromwich Albion has shown an admirable blend of tactical flexibility and gritty determination. The recent switch to a five-at-the-back formation suggests a strategy focused on defensive solidity and exploiting counter-attacking opportunities. Key players like John Swift, with his 7.28 BettingTips4You Expert Rating, and Alex Mowatt have been instrumental in midfield, providing both defensive cover and creative sparks. Their attacking prowess is evident in their 1.6 goals per game, with a remarkable ability to create big chances.
Our Suggested Best Value Bet For This Match
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Best Value Bet Rationale
West Brom, rejuvenated under Carlos Corberan, have been formidable at The Hawthorns, showcasing a robust attacking flair. Their recent performances, including a striking victory against high-flying Ipswich Town and a gritty win over Cardiff City, underscore their ability to penetrate defences. Key players like John Swift and Jeremy Sarmiento have been pivotal in their attacking thrust, contributing significantly to their goal tally. The team’s overall offensive statistics, with a decent average of 1.6 goals per game, indicate their potency in front of the goal.
Leicester City, on the other hand, despite a slight dip in their recent form, cannot be underestimated in terms of attacking strength. The Foxes have demonstrated a high level of attacking football throughout the season, attributed to the contributions of players like Jamie Vardy and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Their average of 1.8 goals per game in the Championship, along with a diverse range of goal scorers, suggests that they possess the firepower to breach West Brom’s defence.
Given these factors, and considering the competitive nature of the Championship, where games are often tightly contested with both sides creating numerous scoring opportunities, the ‘Both Teams to Score’ bet seems a plausible and valuable option for this encounter.
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Leicester City: Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City started the season in dominant form but has recently shown signs of vulnerability, particularly in their away games. Their strength lies in their possession-based style, as reflected in their 64.3% ball possession rate, and the attacking contributions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jamie Vardy. However, recent matches have exposed a susceptibility to concentrated defensive strategies and counter-attacks, a weakness West Brom could exploit.
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Key Player Matchups: The midfield duel between West Brom’s Alex Mowatt and Leicester’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will be crucial. Both players are pivotal in dictating the pace and control of the game. Additionally, the defensive resilience of West Brom’s Kyle Bartley against the attacking threat of Leicester’s Jamie Vardy will be a key battle to watch.
Analytical Conclusions:
Expected Goals (xG) Analysis: West Brom’s xG of 1.6 per game, combined with their defensive solidity, suggests a team that is efficient in front of goal and robust at the back. Leicester’s xG of 1.8, on the other hand, indicates their attacking potency but recent matches have shown a decrease in their finishing efficiency.
Areas of the Field and Key Duels: The game could be decided in the midfield, where control and the ability to transition from defence to attack will be crucial. The duels on the wings, especially involving West Brom’s Sarmiento and Leicester’s Pereira, will be vital in determining the flow of the game.
Team Improvements: West Brom could benefit from more creativity in the final third to turn their defensive resilience into more victories. Leicester needs to address their defensive vulnerabilities, especially in set-piece situations.
Managerial Analysis: Corberan’s adaptability has been a strength for West Brom, while Maresca’s inability to adjust tactically in tight games has been a critical weakness for Leicester.
Our Take: This matchup at The Hawthorns is more than just a game; it’s a tactical battle between two contrasting styles. West Brom’s resilience and Leicester’s quest to regain their early-season form set the stage for a gripping encounter. The clash is a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of the Championship, where form can be overturned, and underdogs can rise to the occasion.
Predictions:
Match Outcome – Draw: The prediction of a draw stems from a careful analysis of both teams’ recent forms and playing styles. West Brom, under Carlos Corberan, has shown significant resilience, particularly at The Hawthorns, where they’ve been a tough nut to crack. Their defensive organisation, combined with the team’s ability to create and exploit opportunities, makes them formidable at home. Leicester City, despite being the Championship leaders, has shown signs of vulnerability in recent matches. Their struggle against bottom-half teams and a noticeable dip in their once dominant form suggest they might find it challenging to secure a win. The expected intense midfield battle and the tactical prowess of both managers point towards a closely fought match, likely ending in a stalemate.
Correct Score Prediction – 1-1: A 1-1 scoreline is a reasonable expectation considering the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. West Brom’s defensive strength, highlighted by their impressive clean sheet record at home, suggests they can limit Leicester’s scoring opportunities. However, Leicester’s attacking talent, led by the likes of Jamie Vardy and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, should see them break through at least once. Conversely, West Brom’s attack, while not the most prolific, is capable of exploiting Leicester’s recent defensive lapses, making a single goal for the home side a plausible outcome.
Goalscorer Prediction – Jamie Vardy: Jamie Vardy’s experience and proven track record make him a prime candidate to find the net. Despite Leicester’s recent form, Vardy’s ability to exploit spaces and his clinical nature in front of goal remains undiminished. His positioning and movement off the ball make him a constant threat, especially against a West Brom defence that, while solid, will face a stern test against his quality. Additionally, Vardy’s penchant for scoring in crucial matches adds to the likelihood of him getting on the scoresheet.
Corner Prediction – West Brom to have more corners: This prediction is based on West Brom’s style of play under Corberan. They tend to create pressure through wide areas, leading to a higher number of corners. Their attacking approach, especially at home, often results in crosses and shots being deflected behind by the opposition’s defence. In contrast, Leicester City, while possessing a strong attacking threat, focuses more on possession and less on wing play, which might result in fewer corners for them. Predicting the total number of corners to be around 8-10 seems reasonable, considering the likely ebb and flow of the game and both teams’ strategies.
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