Ricardo Pereira, Leicester City

Leicester City vs Middlesbrough Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Arnav Kholkar

Leicester City vs Middlesbrough Match Preview

EFL Championship league leaders Leicester City will host 12th placed Middlesbrough at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, February 17.

The hosts enter this contest on the back of a great run of form. They have lost just once in their last 10 games across competitions, securing seven wins and two draws. The Foxes are unbeaten in their last five and have scored 14 goals in the process. Their form has seen them build an 11-point gap over second placed Southampton. Leicester’s last game was a 2-1 win at Watford and they will look to perform similarly well in their next one.

Middlesbrough, on the other hand, enter this game on the back of a mixed run of form. They have won just thrice in their last 10 games, losing five times and drawing twice. Boro are winless in their last four and have conceded an alarming 10 goals during that phase. Their dip in form has seen them slip to 12th in the table with 41 points. However, they are just six points off the playoff spots and still have time to revive their campaign. Their last outing was a 2-1 defeat against Bristol City at home and they will look to do better.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news from both camps.

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Leicester City

Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester City
Iheanacho in action for Leicester. (Credit: Getty)

Manager Enzo Maresca has had the luxury of having a nearly full squad at his disposal in recent weeks. Now, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s return from the Africa Cup of Nations confirmed, he has every player available.

However, defender Jannik Vestergaard (9) faces the risk of a two-game suspension should he pick up another booking.

Maresca has stuck with largely the same XI in recent weeks, making key switches between his forwards to manage the workload. Having preferred Jamie Vardy from the start against Sheffield Wednesday last time, Patson Daka should return to the fold.

Predicted XI: Mads Hermansen (GK), Benjamin Nelson, Wout Faes, James Justin, Ricardo Pereira (C), Harry Winks, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Dennis Praet, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kasey McAteer, Patson Daka.

Middlesbrough

Manager Michael Carrick, too, has a fully fit squad at his disposal, with no injury concerns or suspensions to worry about. He has stuck with his trusted set of players in recent weeks, despite results not going their way.

Carrick and his Boro side would like to refresh their memories from their last time facing the Foxes. Playing at home, they walked away 1-0 winners back in November and will look to replicate that performance.

Predicted XI: Tom Glover (GK), Luke Ayling, Dael Fry (C), Rav van den Berg, Lukas Engel, Lewis O’Brien, Daniel Barlaser, Marcus Forss, Hayden Hackney, Finn Azaz, Sam Greenwood.

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Head-to-Head

Last 5 Games Head-to-Head

  • Middlesbrough 1-0 Leicester (11/23)
  • Middlesbrough 0-0 Leicester (01/17)
  • Leicester 2-2 Middlesbrough (11/16)
  • Leicester 2-0 Middlesbrough (01/14)
  • Middlesbrough 1-2 Leicester (08/13)

As you can see, the teams have met relatively few times in recent years due to often being in different divisions. Before this, the last time they shared a division was in the 2016-17 season in the Premier League. Unfortunately, Middlesbrough was relegated having finished 19th that year.

However, Leicester are slightly ahead in the head-to-head records, with two wins to their name in the last five. Boro have won one, while the teams have shared two draws. The last five meetings have seen just 10 goals scored, pointing towards a tight game.

Prediction

Additionally, Leicester City haven’t lost to Middlesbrough at home since back in 2001 in the Premier League. This will give them the confidence to perform well.

Prediction: Leicester City 2-1 Middlesbrough.

Betting Tips and Odds

Betting Tips

  • Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.71
  • Match Result – Leicester: 1.63
  • Over 2.5 Goals – Yes: 1.68

Match Odds

  • Leicester City Win: 1.63
  • Draw: 4.20
  • Middlesbrough Win: 5.00

Leicester City vs Middlesbrough Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 17th at 3 PM (GMT).
  • India: FanCode app & website.
  • UK: Sky Sports, Sky Sports Main Event
  • US: ESPN+, Hulu

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