Leicester vs. Ipswich Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 18 May 2025 - bettingexpert
Leicester City is set to face Ipswich Town at the King Power Stadium in a Premier League clash on 18 May 2025, with the match kicking off at 15:00. Both teams have already been relegated this season, making this round 37 encounter more about pride and preparation for the Championship. Referee Andrew Kitchen will be overseeing the match.
Currently, both Leicester and Ipswich are level on points with 22 each, sitting in 19th and 18th position, respectively. Leicester, under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy, has shown some improvement in recent games with a win and two draws (DWLLD). Ipswich, managed by Kieran McKenna, has had a challenging run, managing a few draws but no wins in their last five matches (LDLLD).
Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s top scorer, will lead the attack, while Ipswich’s standout player Liam Delap, rumored to be attracting interest from top Premier League clubs like Manchester United, will spearhead Ipswich’s forward line.
Given both teams’ similar standings and recent form, our match tip recommends betting on a draw.
Enjoy the drama at King Power Stadium as both teams battle it out not just for points, but for a strong finish to a tough season.
Leicester vs Ipswich Prediction & Betting Tip
With both Leicester and Ipswich already relegated, this matchup is less about points and more about finishing the season with some pride. Our recommended bet is for a draw. Both teams have struggled, but Leicester has shown marginal improvement while Ipswich has been prone to drawing games.
| Leicester vs Ipswich Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 3.53 |
- Leicester has shown a slight uptick in form with a recent win and two draws.
- Ipswich tends to find it hard to secure wins but often manages to draw.
- Both teams have an equal number of points and similar recent performances, making a draw a balanced outcome.
Leicester vs Ipswich Odds
Given the circumstances of the match, both teams are equally desperate to come away with some pride. Here’s a comparison of the betting odds:
| Leicester vs Ipswich Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Leicester | 2.30 |
| Draw | 3.53 |
| Ipswich | 2.95 |
Leicester is the bookmaker’s favourite, perhaps due to their slightly better recent form. However, with both teams already relegated, the odds of a draw at 3.53 also look promising.
Despite their ups and downs, Leicester’s recent improvements and Ipswich’s tendency to draw make this a potentially balanced encounter.
Leicester Team Analysis
Leicester Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | Leicester | 2025-05-11 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Leicester | Southampton | 2025-05-03 | Premier League | 2-0 (Win) |
| Wolverhampton | Leicester | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Leicester | Liverpool | 2025-04-20 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Brighton | Leicester | 2025-04-12 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
Leicester’s recent performances have been a mixed bag. With just one win in their last five matches (DWLLD), they still show resilience despite being in the relegation zone. They managed to secure two draws against Nottingham Forest and Brighton, both ending 2-2, and a crucial 2-0 win against Southampton. However, they couldn’t find success against Wolverhampton and Liverpool.
Over their last five games, Leicester have averaged 1.20 goals per match and kept just one clean sheet. Injuries have plagued the team, but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men continue to fight till the end.
Leicester Key Players
Leicester’s key player is undoubtedly Jamie Vardy, who is their top scorer this season with 8 goals. Vardy’s knack for finding the net could be crucial in this match against Ipswich.
Another vital player to keep an eye on is Wilfred Ndidi, who plays a key role in the defensive midfield, breaking up opposition play and providing cover for the backline. Conor Coady and Wout Faes will have to be solid at the back to keep Ipswich’s striker, Liam Delap, at bay.
Here is the expected lineup for Leicester:
- Goalkeeper: Jakub Stolarczyk
- Defenders: James Justin, Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Luke Thomas
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Oliver Skipp, Kasey McAteer, Jordan Ayew, Bilal El Khannouss
- Attackers: Jamie Vardy
Key individual battles to watch include Vardy against Ipswich’s Dara O’Shea and Ndidi against Ipswich’s Sam Morsy in the midfield.
Leicester Suspensions & Injuries
Leicester are grappling with several injuries that could impact their performance against Ipswich. Key players like Issahaku Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi are out with long-term injuries, which leaves the squad thin, especially in attacking options. Their absence will put additional pressure on players like Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi to deliver.
Here are Leicester’s injuries:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Issahaku Fatawu | Cruciate ligament injury | Late August 2025 |
| Stephy Mavididi | Muscle injury | Late July 2025 |
| Mads Hermansen | Hernia | Late June 2025 |
| Ricardo Pereira | Muscle injury | Late May 2025 |
| Bobby Reid | Muscle injury | Late June 2025 |
These absences, particularly in midfield and attack, may dent Leicester’s chances of securing a critical win.
Leicester Tactics and Formation
Leicester Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Jamie Vardy
- Midfield Duo: Wilfred Ndidi and Oliver Skipp
- Defensive Setup: Faes and Coady at the back, supported by full-backs Justin and Thomas.
- Notable Strategy: Leicester has been particularly strong in the latter stages of the game, often scoring during the 76-90 and 61-75-minute intervals.
Leicester’s approach under Ruud van Nistelrooy focuses on maintaining a solid defensive structure while capitalizing on late-game opportunities. With Ndidi and Skipp anchoring the midfield, they offer balance and protection, allowing their creative players to push forward.
Ipswich Team Analysis
Ipswich Recent Performance:
Ipswich Town have struggled in recent matches, as evidenced by their last five results. Here’s a quick look:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich | Brentford | 2025-05-10 | Premier League | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Everton | Ipswich | 2025-05-03 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Newcastle | Ipswich | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Ipswich | Arsenal | 2025-04-20 | Premier League | 0-4 (Loss) |
| Chelsea | Ipswich | 2025-04-13 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
Ipswich failed to secure a win in their last five games, recording two draws and three losses. They have an average of 0.80 goals scored per match and have struggled defensively with no clean sheets in their last five outings. Despite these struggles, Liam Delap remains their top scorer with 12 goals. The team’s defensive frailties and lack of clean sheets have been major issues this season.
Ipswich Key Players
Ipswich Town’s key player to watch is their top scorer, Liam Delap, who has netted 12 goals this season. In a team struggling defensively, Delap’s ability to find the back of the net will be crucial.
Expected lineup for Ipswich:
- Goalkeeper: Alex Palmer
- Defenders: Axel Tuanzebe, Dara O’Shea, Cameron Burgess, Jacob Greaves
- Midfielders: Sam Morsy, Jack Taylor, Omari Hutchinson, Conor Chaplin, Julio Enciso
- Forward: Liam Delap
Key individual battles on the pitch include Liam Delap against Leicester’s central defenders, Wout Faes and Conor Coady. Additionally, Conor Chaplin’s creativity will be pivotal in midfield, aiming to exploit any weaknesses in Leicester’s defensive setup.
Ipswich Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Janoi Donacien | Groin injury | Unknown |
| Chiedozie Ogbene | Achilles tendon injury | Late May 2025 |
| Wes Burns | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid-October 2025 |
| Samuel Szmodics | Ankle injury | Late May 2025 |
| Arijanet Muric | Shoulder injury | Doubtful |
| Jaden Philogene | Medial Collateral Ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| Nathan Broadhead | Thigh injury | Late May 2025 |
| Conor Townsend | Hamstring injury | Doubtful |
| Kalvin Phillips | Knock injury | Doubtful |
Ipswich is dealing with a significant list of injuries that could severely impact their performance against Leicester. Key players like Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, and Nathan Broadhead are sidelined, leading to a potential lack of creativity and stability on the field.
The absence of defensive stalwart Conor Townsend will be a particular blow, likely putting more pressure on their remaining defenders. Additionally, with Kalvin Phillips doubtful, Ipswich’s midfield might struggle to match Leicester’s intensity, making this a challenging fixture for the away side.
Ipswich Tactics and Formation
Ipswich’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Liam Delap
- Midfield Trio: Omari Hutchinson, Conor Chaplin, Julio Enciso
- Defensive Setup: Axel Tuanzebe and Dara O’Shea as central stalwarts
- Notable Strategy: Focus on defensive resilience and hitting on the counterattack
Manager Kieran McKenna favours utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation, with defensive midfielders Sam Morsy and Jack Taylor shielding the backline. The attacking trio of Hutchinson, Chaplin, and Enciso will look to support top scorer Delap.
Expect Ipswich to absorb pressure, aiming to break quickly on the counterattack. The midfield needs to step up, particularly given the defensive injuries that could leave their back four vulnerable against Leicester’s offensive threats.
Leicester vs Ipswich Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ipswich Town | Leicester City | 2024-11-02 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Leicester City | Ipswich Town | 2024-01-22 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Ipswich Town | Leicester City | 2023-12-26 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Leicester City | Ipswich Town | 2014-02-22 | Championship | 3-0 (Win) |
| Ipswich Town | Leicester City | 2013-11-23 | Championship | 1-2 (Win) |
Analysis:
These teams have shown a tendency for closely fought contests, with their last three encounters all ending in 1-1 draws. Leicester holds the advantage historically, securing victories in 2013 and 2014. Given their consistent results, we might expect another tightly balanced match this time around.
Odds accurate as of 16/05/2025 15:01, and are subject to change.
Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
