Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Championship 2025/26

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Match Preview

A Midlands derby with high stakes lights up the King Power Stadium on Monday, 5 January 2026. Both Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion are desperate to find consistency after turbulent starts to the New Year. The Foxes, currently 13th with 34 points, slumped to a disappointing 1–3 defeat against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day, continuing a “win-one, lose-one” pattern that has plagued their winter. West Brom, languishing in 18th with 31 points, are in even dire straits on the road. Ryan Mason’s side suffered their ninth consecutive away defeat with a 0–1 loss to Swansea City last time out, a run that has dragged them dangerously close to the relegation conversation. With just three points separating these historic rivals, this clash is as much about psychological recovery as it is about league position.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Match Info

• Competition: EFL Championship (Matchday 26)
• Venue: King Power Stadium, Leicester (Capacity: 32,261)
• Date: Monday, 5 January 2026
• Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 15:00 ET
• Referee: Stephen Martin (ENG)

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Match Stakes

Leicester City (13th — 34 pts):

• Win → Moves to 37 pts; stabilizes their mid-table position and reignites faint playoff hopes.
• Draw → Maintains the status quo but does little to appease a frustrated fanbase.
• Loss → Could drop them as low as 15th; allows West Brom to draw level on points.

West Bromwich Albion (18th — 31 pts):

• Win → Moves to 34 pts; snaps a humiliating 9-game away losing streak.
• Draw → A valuable point on the road given their horrific travel sickness.
• Loss → Leaves them stuck in the bottom third; pressure on Ryan Mason reaches a boiling point.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Team News

Leicester City:

• Daka P. — Out (International Duty – AFCON 2025 with Zambia)
• Kristiansen V. — Out (Knock – Mid-January return)
• Soumare B. — Out (Knee Injury)
• Souttar H. — Out (Achilles Tendon Injury)
• Winks H. — Questionable (Injury – Late fitness test)
• Ramsey A. — Questionable (Injury)
• Carranza J. — Questionable (Inactive)

West Bromwich Albion:

• Wallace J. — Out (Muscle Injury – Captain Missing)
• Bielik K. — Out (Ankle Injury – Defensive Anchor Missing)
• Molumby J. — Out (Leg Injury)
• Collyer T. — Out (Muscle Injury)
• Williams A. — Out (Broken Ankle)
• Selection Crisis: With key midfielders Molumby and Bielik out, Mason is forced to field a makeshift engine room of Mowatt and Styles.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Leicester City

• 01/01 — 1–3 vs Sheffield Utd (Championship)
• 30/12 — 2–1 vs Derby County (Championship)
• 26/12 — 1–2 vs Watford (Championship)
• 20/12 — 1–4 vs QPR (Championship)
• 13/12 — 3–1 vs Ipswich (Championship)

West Bromwich Albion

• 01/01 — 0–1 vs Swansea City (Championship)
• 30/12 — 2–1 vs QPR (Championship)
• 26/12 — 1–2 vs Bristol City (Championship)
• 20/12 — 0–1 vs Hull City (Championship)
• 13/12 — 2–0 vs Sheffield Utd (Championship)

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

• 27/09/2025 — West Brom 1–1 Leicester (Championship)
• 20/04/2024 — Leicester 2–1 West Brom (Championship)
• 02/12/2023 — West Brom 1–2 Leicester (Championship)
• 23/04/2021 — Leicester 3–0 West Brom (Premier League)
• 13/09/2020 — West Brom 0–3 Leicester (Premier League)

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Leicester City (4-2-3-1)

Stolarczyk; Pereira, Nelson, Vestergaard, Thomas; Skipp, James; Fatawu, De Cordova-Reid, Mavididi; Ayew

West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1)

Wildsmith; Campbell, Taylor, Phillips, Styles; Diakite, Mowatt; Johnston, Price, Grant; Heggebo

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Impact Bench

Leicester City: Golding (Energy), Alves (Creativity)

West Bromwich Albion: Maja (Goal threat), Swift (Set-piece specialist)

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Tactical Analysis

Leicester City

Marti Cifuentes’ side has been plagued by defensive errors, conceding 11 goals in their last 5 games. Without Harry Winks to dictate tempo (if he misses out), they often struggle to control matches. However, their wing play remains dangerous. Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu have the pace to exploit West Brom’s makeshift full-back areas. With Patson Daka away, Jordan Ayew must provide the hold-up play to bring these wingers into the game.

West Bromwich Albion

Ryan Mason is trying to implement a possession-based style, but it hasn’t traveled well. The Baggies are porous in transition, especially without Krystian Bielik screening the defense. They will likely try to play through Alex Mowatt in midfield, looking to release Mikey Johnston on the counter. Their main issue is converting possession into clear chances away from The Hawthorns; Aune Heggebø cuts a lonely figure upfront in away games.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Key Battles

• Mavididi vs Campbell — Leicester’s trickiest winger vs West Brom’s versatile defender.
• Skipp vs Mowatt — The battle for control in the center of the park.
• Ayew vs Phillips — Veteran savvy vs physical defending.
• Fatawu vs Styles — Pace mismatch on the right flank.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Spotlight Players

Leicester City — Abdul Fatawu

The Ghanaian winger is the spark plug for Leicester. In a game that could be decided by individual brilliance, his ability to cut inside and shoot is Leicester’s best weapon.

West Bromwich Albion — Mikey Johnston

The former Celtic winger has been one of the few bright spots for West Brom. If the Baggies are to break their away duck, Johnston needs to isolate Ricardo Pereira and create havoc.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Prediction

Leicester City 2–1 West Bromwich Albion

West Brom’s away form is frankly horrific (9 straight losses). While Leicester are erratic, they are generally stronger at the King Power and have had an extra day of rest compared to some festive fixtures. The Foxes have dominated this fixture historically (winning 4 of the last 5) and should have enough quality in the final third to edge a nervy encounter.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Betting Insights

• Leicester City to Win — Value Bet (Based on H2H and WBA away form).
• Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Both defenses are leaking goals).
• Both Teams to Score — YES.

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — Where to Watch

• UK: Sky Sports Football / Main Event
• International: ESPN+ (USA), DAZN

Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion — FAQs

Q: When is the Leicester vs West Brom match?

A: The match kicks off on Monday, 5 January 2026, at 20:00 GMT.

Q: Why is West Brom’s away form so bad?

A: They have lost 9 consecutive away games, struggling to adapt their possession style to hostile grounds.

Q: Is Patson Daka playing?

A: No, he is on international duty with Zambia.

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