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Preston North End logo
Championship | Gameweek 45
Apr 29, 2024 at 8pm UK
Deepdale
Leicester logo

Preston
0 - 3
Leicester


Browne (46'), Hughes (54'), Brady (62'), Holmes (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Vardy (36', 52'), McAteer (67')

Preview: Preston North End vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Championship clash between Preston North End and Leicester City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Leicester City make the trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End looking for the win that could secure the Championship title.

While the Foxes have already secured promotion to the Premier League, Preston are down in 10th position in the standings with nothing but pride to play for.


Match preview

Leicester City celebrate Wilfred Ndidi's goal against West Bromwich Albion on April 20, 2024.© Reuters

There have been times in recent weeks when Leicester have appeared to be struggling with the pressure of leading the table all season without quickly getting over the line.

However, Enzo Maresca's side have produced two entirely different performances to finally achieve their target, battling their way past West Bromwich Albion before thrashing Southampton three days later.

While Leicester undoubtedly rode their luck versus West Brom, they did what was necessarily to earn a 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium, ending a run of two 1-0 defeats in a row.

That set them up to face Southampton in the East Midlands on Tuesday, yet few people foreseen a five-goal demolition job against opponents who could have moved to within four points of Leicester with two matches remaining.

Maresca and his Leicester squad would have expected Leeds United to overcome Queens Park Rangers on Friday night, but they were able to watch without being on the edge of their seat as the Hoops sensationally recorded a 4-0 victory at Loftus Road.

Depending on how Ipswich Town fare at Hull City on Saturday night, beating Preston on Monday could lead to the East Midlands outfit winning the title with a game to spare.

Preston North End Manager Ryan Lowe on December 26, 2023© Reuters

Preston have been in the promotion race throughout this campaign, with Ryan Lowe's side finding a second wind to lose just once in 10 games between the end of January and end of March.

Nevertheless, just like they did last season, Preston have dropped off during the run-in, collecting just four points from their most recent six fixtures.

Recent losses to Norwich City, Southampton and QPR have come without Preston getting on the scoresheet; they have also failed to net in five of their last six fixtures.

Lowe's side head into this contest with eighth place their likely best-case scenario, although dropping down to 12th still remains a possibility.

Preston North End Championship form:

Leicester City Championship form:


Team News

Leicester City's manager Enzo Maresca on April 20, 2024© Reuters

Lowe will likely make at least one change to the Preston XI from the defeat to QPR, with Mads Frokjaer-Jensen expected to return in a creative role in midfield.

With next season in mind, Layton Stewart could also make his first start of the campaign, with Ben Woodburn and Emil Riis Jakobsen dropping out.

Ali McCann, Brad Potts and Ben Whiteman are all on the sidelines for Preston.

Maresca may opt to select the same Leicester XI from the win over Southampton as Leicester bid to lift the second-tier crown.

If there is one alteration, it may see Hamza Choudhury return to the side at right-back in place of Ricardo Pereira.

As it stands, Maresca has a fully-fit squad to select from ahead of the trip to the North West.


Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Millar, Browne, Ledson, Brady; Frokjaer-Jensen; Stewart, Keane

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Justin; Ndidi, Winks, Dewsbury-Hall; Fatawu, Vardy, Mavididi


SM words green background

We say: Preston North End 2-2 Leicester City

Given that Leicester were in celebratory on Friday night, it remains unclear how they will rock up for this contest. Although they will be eager to win the title, we do not expect them to perform to their absolute best, leading us to predict a high-scoring draw.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Preston vs Leicester

Preston North End
17.9%
Draw
17.9%
Leicester City
64.1%
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General view end of Preston North End's Deepdale taken January 2018
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