Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury, Preview, And Analysis

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Prediction: Leicester City will likely defeat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the King Power Stadium on Monday, as the Foxes hold a strong home record against the Baggies and West Brom has lost nine consecutive away matches in the Championship this season.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	EFL Championship
Date	Monday, January 6, 2025
Venue	King Power Stadium, Leicester
Leicester Position	13th (34 points from 25 matches)
West Brom Position	18th (31 points from 25 matches)
Recent Form (Leicester)	L-W-L-L-W
Recent Form (West Brom)	L-W-L-L-W

Key Facts

• Leicester City currently sits in 13th position with 34 points after 25 Championship matches.
• West Bromwich Albion occupies 18th place with 31 points from the same number of games.
• The Foxes have won five of their last six meetings against the Baggies.
• Leicester manager Marti Cifuentes faces mounting pressure after three defeats in four matches.
• West Brom has lost nine consecutive away matches since their last road victory on October 1, 2024.
• Both teams share identical recent form with three losses in their last four fixtures.
• Leicester has conceded 37 goals this season, with only four Championship teams allowing more.
• The reverse fixture in September 2024 ended in a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns.
• West Brom head coach Ryan Mason also faces scrutiny due to poor results.
• Leicester sits six points behind the playoff positions despite their struggles.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Preview and Prediction

Leicester City welcomes West Bromwich Albion to the King Power Stadium on Monday evening for a crucial Championship encounter.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM local time, providing both Midlands clubs an opportunity to reverse their recent poor form.

Fans can watch the match through various broadcasting options, including the clubs’ official streaming services (Foxes Hub for Leicester and WBA TV for West Brom), with geographical restrictions applying.

International viewers have access through multiple platforms including Sky Sports (UK and Ireland), beIN Sports (Middle East and North Africa), ESPN networks (Americas and Africa), and various regional broadcasters.

Both managers find themselves under significant pressure.

Leicester’s ambition to secure an immediate return to the Premier League has stalled, with the team languishing in mid-table despite expectations of challenging for automatic promotion.

West Brom’s situation appears even more precarious, with their position just 13 points above the relegation zone raising concerns about a potential drop to League One.

The three-point gap between these sides makes this fixture particularly important for both clubs’ season trajectories.

Predicted Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion Lineups and Formations

Leicester City Expected XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Stolarczyk

Defense: Pereira, Okoli, Nelson, Thomas

Midfield: James, Choudhury

Attacking Midfield: Fatawu, De Cordova-Reid, Mavididi

Forward: Ayew

Leicester will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing width through their wingers while maintaining defensive solidity through a double pivot in midfield.

West Bromwich Albion Expected XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Wildsmith

Defense: Campbell, Phillips, Mepham, Styles

Midfield: Diakite, Molumby

Attacking Midfield: Johnston, Price, Grant

Forward: Heggebo

West Brom mirrors Leicester’s tactical approach with a similar 4-2-3-1 setup, focusing on quick transitions and exploiting spaces behind the opposition defense.

Injury Report and Impact Analysis

Leicester City Injuries

The Foxes face several significant absences. Victor Kristiansen (defender), Harry Souttar (defender), and Boubakary Soumare (midfielder) remain sidelined with ongoing injury concerns.

Aaron Ramsey will miss his second consecutive match after suffering a hamstring problem during the Derby County fixture.

The attacking midfielder’s absence removes creativity from Leicester’s midfield, forcing Cifuentes to rely on alternative options.

West Bromwich Albion Injuries

West Brom’s injury situation appears more severe. Tammer Bany faces approximately four months on the sidelines with a thigh injury, representing a long-term loss.

Jed Wallace continues his rehabilitation in the treatment room, depriving the Baggies of an experienced attacking option.

However, Alfie Gilchrist returns to the squad after completing a three-match suspension, providing Mason with additional defensive cover.

Key Injuries That Could Shift the Game

Ramsey’s absence significantly impacts Leicester’s attacking fluidity.

The midfielder’s ability to link play between midfield and attack creates scoring opportunities that the Foxes have struggled to generate without him.

For West Brom, Wallace’s continued absence removes a player capable of producing match-winning moments.

Gilchrist’s return strengthens their defensive options, potentially helping them address their poor away record.

Tactical Analysis

Leicester’s approach under Cifuentes emphasizes possession-based football with quick transitions.

The 4-2-3-1 formation allows them to control midfield areas while providing width through their wingers.

However, defensive vulnerabilities have plagued their season, with 37 goals conceded highlighting structural issues at the back.

West Brom adopts a more pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive organization and counter-attacking opportunities.

Their nine-match losing streak away from home suggests significant problems adapting their game plan on the road.

Mason must find solutions to break this pattern if the Baggies hope to climb the table.

Key Players to Watch

Jordan James (Leicester)

The midfielder scored a late consolation against Sheffield United and provides energy in the center of the park.

His box-to-box capabilities make him crucial to Leicester’s transition play.

Hamza Choudhury (Leicester)

Pushing for a starting role after substitute appearances, Choudhury offers defensive stability and ball-winning qualities that could prove vital against West Brom’s counter-attacks.

Jordan Ayew (Leicester)

The experienced forward brings Premier League quality to the Championship. His movement and finishing ability make him Leicester’s primary goal threat.

Isaac Price (West Brom)

The midfielder’s creativity and passing range provide West Brom with attacking impetus. His ability to unlock defenses could prove decisive.

Chris Mepham (West Brom)

The defender’s organizational skills and aerial presence strengthen West Brom’s backline, particularly important given their defensive struggles.

Head-to-Head Analysis

Leicester dominates recent meetings between these clubs. The Foxes have won five of the last six encounters, demonstrating clear superiority over their Midlands rivals.

The most recent meeting in September 2024 ended 1-1, with Leicester denied victory by a late West Brom equalizer.

Historical data reveals Leicester’s home advantage against the Baggies. The April 2024 Championship fixture at the King Power Stadium resulted in a 2-1 Leicester victory, continuing their dominance in this fixture.

West Brom’s last victory came in November 2016, a 2-1 Premier League triumph that feels distant given current circumstances.

Statistical Deep Dive

Leicester has scored 35 goals in 25 matches, averaging 1.4 goals per game. Their defensive record of 37 goals conceded (1.48 per game) represents their primary weakness.

West Brom’s numbers paint a similar picture: 28 goals scored (1.12 per game) and 33 conceded (1.32 per game).

Form analysis shows both teams struggling for consistency. Leicester’s recent sequence (D-W-L-L-W-L) demonstrates their inability to string together positive results.

West Brom’s identical pattern (L-W-L-L-W-L) suggests similar problems with momentum.

Current Championship Standings

Leicester City occupies 13th position with 34 points from 25 matches (9 wins, 7 draws, 9 losses).

They trail sixth-placed Preston North End by six points, making playoff qualification increasingly challenging.

West Bromwich Albion sits in 18th place with 31 points from 25 matches (9 wins, 4 draws, 12 losses).

Their position, while not immediately threatening relegation, leaves little margin for error.

Read all Soccer Predictions.

Match Prediction

Leicester’s home advantage and superior head-to-head record suggest they should secure victory.

West Brom’s dreadful away form—nine consecutive defeats—indicates they lack the tools to compete effectively on the road.

The Baggies’ inability to keep clean sheets compounds their problems, while Leicester possesses enough attacking quality to exploit defensive weaknesses.

The predicted scoreline favors Leicester City winning 3-1.

The Foxes should dominate possession and create multiple scoring opportunities, while West Brom may grab a consolation goal through counter-attacking moments.

Leicester’s desperation for points to reignite their promotion push should provide sufficient motivation to overcome their recent inconsistency.

Both managers need positive results to ease mounting pressure, but Leicester’s home environment and historical dominance make them clear favorites to claim all three points in this Midlands derby.

FAQs