Tottenham will kick-start yet their 2024/25 Premier League campaign under Ange Postecoglou when they visit newly promoted Leicester City.
The King Power Stadium will once again witness Premier League football, and the Leicester City faithful will hope to see better days than they have over the last few years, starting with the game against Tottenham. Since their title-winning campaign in 2015/16, the Foxes have steadily regressed, although they returned to the top flight after lifting the EFL Championship title last term.
There have been plenty of changes in terms of staff and players, with Championship-winning boss Enzo Maresca opting to take over at Chelsea when the opportunity arrived. Leicester City are now led by former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, who will want to begin the season here on a positive note.
Cooper’s task on the eve of their opening Premier League game is a tough one as they host Tottenham at the King Power. Leicester hope for a winning start to their campaign, although they enter the new season with tags of slight favourites to go down at the end of the season, which Cooper wants to change.
Ange Postecoglou will want a strong response from his Tottenham side as they embark on another season under the Australian tactician. Spurs were early leaders in the title race last term, but soon, their campaign fell off a cliff. At the end of it, they limped towards finishing fifth and could not touch Aston Villa in fourth.
Tottenham will enter the new campaign with the priority target of finishing in the top four, although Postecoglou will not be opposed to challenging for the title. Spurs have done some decent business and have eliminated unwanted players.
With a few more touches in the transfer market, they could have a competitive squad for the current campaign. Postecoglou will want early momentum in the Premier League like last season, although this time around, Spurs also have to manoeuvre their league commitments alongside Europa League football.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
There have been some notable departures from the club this summer, although Steve Cooper might be mildly satisfied with his current options. As of Sunday, they have also made a bid for Spurs midfielder Oliver Skipp. But they are unlikely to bring him on before this game on Monday.
They have another former Spurs man, Harry Winks, who was nailed on for a starting berth in Cooper’s midfield setup, with Wilfred Ndidi likely to partner him there. The Foxes have some injury issues in the forward line, with Jamie Vardy unavailable, while Patson Daka has undergone surgery on an ankle issue that will keep him out for months.
Cooper could deploy Thomas Cannon to lead the line for Leicester City, while Stephy Mavididi could play on the left wing for the Foxes. Recent arrival Facundo Buonanotte could play an advanced role behind the striker, with Abdul Fatawu likely to support from the right.
Leicester will trust Caleb Okoli to deputise for the injured Conor Coady and partner with Wout Faes at the heart of the defence. Cooper will also have Luke Thomas to start at left-back, but that spot might be taken by Victor Kristiansen, while Ricardo Pereira will play at the other full-back position.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi; Fatawu, Buonanotte, Mavididi; Cannon
Tottenham Hotspur
The big news coming from the Tottenham camp ahead of their opening game against Leicester City is that Yves Bissouma will not play any part on Monday night. The midfielder was recently pictured inhaling laughing gas, with Ange Postecoglou punishing him for the offence.
Bissouma’s absence could leave Spurs without an outright holding midfielder, although Postecoglou is expected to start with Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr in the double pivot. James Maddison will feature in the more advanced role for Spurs, while new arrival Archie Gray is scheduled to take his place on the bench.
Spurs will also have their strongest backline in place, with the fit-again Destiny Udogie set to play left-back, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Pedro Porro completing the back four.
Richarlison is still doubtful about playing for the Spurs due to fitness concerns. With the arrival of Dominic Solanke, the Brazilian might have fallen in the pecking order, as Tottenham’s record-signing is set for his full debut in North London.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Son; Solanke
Key Stats
- Leicester City beat Tottenham 4-1 during their most recent encounter at the King Power.
- Leicester City have scored at least two goals in their last four home matches against Tottenham in all competitions.
- Tottenham have lost only one of their last eight opening-day games in the Premier League.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 25 of Tottenham’s last 29 games in the Premier League.
- Son Heung-min has nine goals and four assists in 14 matches against Leicester. The South Korean only has more goal involvements against Southampton.
Player to Watch
Dominic Solanke
Tottenham paid a record-breaking sum to land Dominic Solanke, as Postecoglou wanted a striker as a priority in this window. Spurs lacked the cutting edge in front of goal at times last season despite Richarlison having a better second season than his first one. With the former Bournemouth star now set to lead the line, the Australian manager will hope for more clinical finishes and an increase in their goals tally.
From a personal standpoint, Solanke will be directly competing against the Brazilian in front of goal, and given Richarlison’s fitness issues, the former Cherries man will have a headstart. Hence, a goal and a good performance against Leicester will take him a long way towards becoming Postecoglou’s primary choice in that coveted No.9 position for Spurs for the current season.
Prediction
Leicester City 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham may look to start the season on a promising note, and they have the attacking setup to get them the three points. However, their defence still has plenty to answer, as Ange Postecoglou might yet see some complacency in the backline that will prevent them from keeping a clean sheet.
Leicester City will come into this game under tremendous pressure, although the home support might count for something. However, they are not well-equipped as Tottenham are ahead of this opener, and the Fozes could suffer a loss upon their return to the Premier League.