Leicester vs Birmingham: Football Previews & Free Football Betting Tips
Venue: King Power Stadium • Expected crowd: 31k+ • Kick-off: 19:45 (local)
🗞️ Introduction
A tasty early-season contest between two Midlands clubs on different arcs. Leicester are reshaping after a bruising top-flight year and squad turnover, while Birmingham arrive on the rise after a title-winning campaign and a busy summer window. Expect a lively King Power, a big away following, and a game with a bit of edge.
Tactically, this looks like a 4-2-3-1 vs 4-2-3-1. Leicester should build with a double pivot and try to get their #10 receiving between the lines before switching to the wingers. Birmingham are happier pressing on triggers, turning regains into quick vertical attacks. Control vs. directness — whichever team sets the tempo early likely dictates the story.
👕 Team News
Leicester City
- Out: Harry Souttar (Achilles – targeting mid-October).
- Doubtful / Late checks: Ricardo Pereira (muscular), Victor Kristiansen (muscular).
- Near return: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (leg, early September ETA).
- Available boosts: Stephy Mavididi back in the XI; Issahaku Fatawu offers width; Bilal El Khannouss the creative link. New arrivals Asmir Begović (GK) and Oliver Skipp (DM) add experience and control.
Birmingham City
- Available: James Beadle (GK, loan) competing with Ryan Allsop; back four features Ethan Laird and Lee Buchanan; midfield options include Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Tommy Doyle.
- New attacking options: Kyōgo Furuhashi through the middle with Bright Osayi-Samuel or Demarai Gray wide; Lewis Koumas adds pace from the bench.
- Suspensions: None known at the time of writing.
📋 Form
Leicester (last 10 competitive): 2–2–6, goals 8–17. Two tidy 2–0 home wins, but too many heavy defeats in between. Clean sheets: 2/10 (20%). Feels like a side that can create in bursts but struggles once they’re forced to chase.
Birmingham (last 10 competitive): Strong run carrying across seasons, with solid defensive numbers and efficient chance conversion. Clean sheets in around half of those matches and a knack for scoring first. Momentum is real.
📊 Key Match Stats
Tip: On smaller screens, rotate your device sideways for the clearest view.
| Metric (Last 10) | Leicester | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| W–D–L | 2–2–6 | in-form (unbeaten run intact) |
| Goals per game (scored) | 0.80 | ~1.50–1.70 |
| Goals per game (conceded) | 1.70 | ~0.60–0.80 |
| Clean sheets | 2/10 (20%) | ~5/10 (≈50%) |
| Points per game | 0.8 | ~2.0+ |
🏟️ Home vs Away Form
Leicester at home (recent 5): 2 wins, 3 losses, goals 4–7, two clean sheets. When they score first, they look much more secure; chasing leaves gaps.
Birmingham away (recent trend): Hard to break down, good at protecting one-goal leads, and dangerous in transition — they rarely need lots of chances to make it count.
🥅 Players to Watch
- Leicester — Stephy Mavididi: Direct runner who stretches the pitch and goes hard at his full-back. Early ball to him changes Leicester’s threat level.
- Birmingham — Kyōgo Furuhashi: Penalty-box movement and quick finishes. If Blues find him across the front post, he doesn’t need many touches.
🧠 KickTheBookies Prediction
Prediction: 1–2 Birmingham.
Leicester have threats out wide and a creator in El Khannouss, but Birmingham’s compact shape, sharper transitions and recent momentum tilt a tight contest their way.
💡 Betting Tips
- Main pick: Over 2.5 Goals — both sides’ wingers and transition pace point to chances once the first goal lands.
- Value bet: Kyōgo Furuhashi anytime — elite movement against a defence that’s conceded in 8 of their last 10.
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