Tottenham Hotspur look to end their dreadful winless run in the Premier League when they host a Leicester City side struggling to get out of the relegation zone on Sunday (26 January).
Both Teams in Dire Straits
The Lilywhites have plummeted down the table since the Christmas period. They are winless in their last six Premier League matches and have only managed one win in their previous ten. This slump has seen them drop to 15th place in the standings, a far cry from their European aspirations.
Leicester City are in an even worse situation. The Foxes have lost their last seven Premier League games, conceding a whopping 18 goals in that period. They are currently languishing in 19th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Head-to-Head
Tottenham holds the historical advantage in meetings between the two teams. In their 121 encounters, Spurs have won 61 matches, while Leicester City has only triumphed on 38 occasions. The last time these two sides met was on August 19th, 2024, which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Tottenham still boasts an attacking threat, having scored nine goals in their last six league games. However, their leaky defense, conceding 35 goals in 22 games, has been their Achilles’ heel. Injuries to key players have further hampered their performance.
Leicester City also struggles defensively, with the third-worst goal conceding record in the league. They have only managed 23 goals in 22 games, highlighting their lack of firepower. The arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy as manager hasn’t yet yielded a turnaround in fortunes.
Home Advantage for Spurs?
Tottenham will be hoping to capitalize on their home advantage. They have a strong record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with an average attendance of over 61,000 fans. However, they have also been inconsistent at home this season, losing five games.
Leicester City has a poor away record, winning only one game on the road this season. The passionate home support could create a nervy atmosphere for the Foxes, potentially leading to mistakes.
Managerial Approaches
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou remains committed to his attacking philosophy despite the team’s struggles. He is likely to stick with his 4-3-3 formation and urge his players to play a high-pressing style.
Tottenham Hotspur potential XI: Kinsky, Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Davies, Bentancur, Bergvall, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son Heung-min, Richarlison
Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy might look to add more firepower to the attack by including Patson Daka alongside Jamie Vardy. He will need his team to be more clinical in front of goal, having failed to score in their last two games.
Leicester City potential XI: Stolarczyk, Justin, Faes, Vestegaard, Kristiansen, Soumare, Winks, Daka, El Khannouss, Mavididi, Vardy
Match Outcome Prediction
This match is likely to be a scrappy affair due to both teams’ poor form. However, it could also be an entertaining encounter with both sides looking to outscore each other. Given their slight edge in quality and home advantage, Tottenham Hotspur are favorites to win this match.
Our Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Leicester City
Expert Opinions
Chris Sutton, a former Tottenham Hotspur forward, believes Spurs will get back to winning ways. He predicts a comfortable 4-1 win for the Lilywhites.
Mark Lawrenson, the ex-Liverpool defender, favors Tottenham to win 3-0 due to Leicester City’s recent slump.
WhoScored’s reporter Ben Knapton also backs Tottenham to win 3-0, citing their attacking prowess and Leicester City’s current woes.
