Leicester vs Ipswich Prediction: 18.05.2025 Premier League Preview

With the curtain nearly closing on the Premier League 2024/25 season, the relegation battle takes centre stage as Leicester host Ipswich at the King Power Stadium. Both sides sit on a meagre 22 points and are locked in a desperate scramble to avoid the drop, setting the scene for a gritty, high-stakes encounter. With Ruud van Nistelrooy steering the Foxes and Kieran McKenna guiding the Tractor Boys, this match is not just about points but pride and future Premier League fortunes. One fascinating element: both teams, despite their defensive struggles, have shown flashes of attacking impetus, suggesting more drama than your average basement battle.

Players who could shape the outcome include Jamie Vardy, whose experience and recent form still make him a threat for Leicester, and George Hirst for Ipswich, a forward showing signs of promise even during a barren campaign. These figures will be key as both sides search for the crucial advantage.

The “hot stat” heading in: Leicester and Ipswich have managed only 4 and 2 goals, respectively, in their last five matches, underscoring their shared struggle to turn possession into goals—a factor which could define this nerve-racking showdown.

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Leicester vs Ipswich prediction

Given recent performances, a low-scoring, tense affair looks likely. Leicester have shown marginally more promise in attack, notching four goals in their last five, while Ipswich remain worryingly blunt up front. Both teams favour a 4-2-3-1 setup, which suggests careful midfield play and an emphasis on defensive solidity. The Foxes will hope Vardy and Ayew can pierce the Ipswich defence, but signs aren’t wholly convincing given their profligate finishing.

On the tactical front, both sides are prone to fouls—Leicester racked up 51 in their last five games, compared to Ipswich’s 40, with each team accumulating 9 yellow cards apiece. Such indiscipline may stifle any attacking flow, but the shared aggression could result in a cagey, stop-start contest. Possession figures indicate Leicester are more adept in ball retention (pass accuracy 83%), compared to Ipswich (80%), but neither has managed to dominate matches for sustained periods. These ingredients point firmly towards a “draw no bet on Leicester” and “under 2.5 total goals” as the best value, with little to separate two sides desperate to avoid calamity.

Team Analysis

Leicester recent games:
Leicester’s last five matches have yielded a solitary win, two draws, and two losses – not a form to inspire confidence, yet sufficient to keep them in the fight. Their most recent fixture was a commendable 2-2 away draw at Nottingham Forest, showing some resilience after a 2-0 win over Southampton in the prior match. That win, a rare clean sheet, hinted at some overdue defensive resolve. However, their inability to keep clean sheets otherwise (conceding in four of five fixtures) remains a glaring weakness.

Ipswich recent games:
Ipswich, meanwhile, are enduring a torrid run with three defeats and two draws in their last five outings. Their most recent match, a slender 0-1 defeat to Brentford, underscored their lack of cutting edge; the last time they found the net was the 2-2 draw with Everton two games ago. The Tractor Boys have shown resolve but their lack of firepower and tendency to concede goals at regular intervals leaves them vulnerable, especially away from home.

Most recent Head-to-Head Matches

🚨Read our full Leicester vs Ipswich stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Leicester the favourite

• Moneyline Leicester 2.26 | Ipswich 3.04
• Draw 3.60
• Over/Under Over 2.5 1.90 | Under 2.5 1.85
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.95 | No 1.80

Given Leicester’s marginally better attacking returns and home advantage, the bookies have rightly installed them as slight favourites, although with both sides struggling for form, the odds reflect significant uncertainty. The odds for under 2.5 goals and for BTTS – No hold solid value, considering both teams’ anaemic recent goal hauls.

You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.

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Possible Starting Lineups

Leicester possible starting eleven

Expect Van Nistelrooy to line up with the trusty 4-2-3-1, building his core around Stolarczyk in goal. Justin and Thomas offer width, while Coady’s reliability at centre-back will be crucial. El Khannouss and Buonanotte in midfield look tasked with providing the creative spark to supply Vardy, whose experience remains invaluable up top. Ayew’s industry is key for pressing from the front.

Ipswich possible starting eleven

Ipswich’s preferred 4-2-3-1 sees Palmer between the posts, with Greaves and O’Shea flanking Burgess in defence. Morsy and Taylor anchor the midfield, while Cajuste and Hutchinson must link play. Up front, all eyes will be on Chaplin’s movement and Hirst’s ability to convert rare chances—these two must step up to end their side’s attacking woes.

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My take on the Match

This is not the glamour end of the table, but drama is guaranteed. Both teams lack confidence but have enough about them—particularly in midfield graft and the odd spark from Vardy or Hirst—to make this a nervy, balanced fixture. My main pick is Leicester “draw no bet,” as the Foxes’ slightly more robust recent showings, coupled with home advantage, tip the scales just enough in their favour. Expect few goals, bags of tension, and a result which might just keep one side’s Premier League hopes flickering—a classic survival scrap, British style!

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