Match preview: form, stats and what to watch
Friday night at The Hawthorns is shaping up to be a real barn‑burner. West Brom sit third with 12 points after seven games, while Leicester sit sixth on 11. A single point separates them, so the stakes are high.
Leicester’s last outing ended in a 1‑0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle. They let in a goal in the 21st minute and haven’t kept a clean sheet in six games, conceding nine overall. Even though they held 70% of the possession and fired 17 attempts (four on target) against Plymouth, they struggled to finish.
West Brom, under Carlos Corberán, also tasted loss – a 1‑0 reverse to Sunderland. The Baggies have scored nine and let in six in their previous six fixtures, a more balanced record than the Foxes. Their home form is aggressive; they like to press from the first whistle and often start strong at The Hawthorns.
Historically, West Brom have the edge with 51 wins out of the last 118 meetings, but Leicester have been unbeaten in the last six league clashes. The Foxes also haven’t lost a home league game in their last two outings, while the Baggies have stumbled in their last two away games.
Key players to watch: for West Brom, the creative spark will likely come from their midfield engine who thrives on quick transitions. Leicester will rely on their forward line to finally crack the defence after a run of missed chances.
Betting insights and tips
Markets are tight, reflecting the close league positions and mixed recent form. Here are the main angles most bookmakers are highlighting:
- West Bromwich Albion vs Leicester City – many analysts lean toward an under 2.5‑goal game, citing both sides’ recent difficulty finding the net.
- First‑half winner – the aggressive home approach gives West Brom a slight edge to lead at halftime.
- Exact score – a 2‑1 win for Leicester is floating around, banking on their unbeaten streak against the Baggies and a possible bounce‑back after the Plymouth loss.
- Both teams to score – both clubs have hit the net in five of their last seven meetings, making this a solid option for value.
In terms of season context, Leicester are desperate to stay in the promotion race. Dropping points now could see them slip out of the playoff spots. West Brom, meanwhile, want to cement a top‑three push and use this home game to widen the gap over rivals.
All things considered, expect a tight defensive battle early on, with the pace picking up in the second half as both sides chase the win. Keep an eye on the midfield duels – they could decide who lands the final three points.