This Sunday, the King Power Stadium will host a dramatic Premier League showdown between Liverpool and Leicester City, which could have major implications for both teams.
Liverpool will be crowned champions this weekend if Ipswich Town can pull off a massive upset against Arsenal. Meanwhile, Leicester’s relegation to the Championship will be sealed unless they pull off a surprising victory against the Reds.
Liverpool's path to the title looks clearer after their rivals, Arsenal, faltered in a 1-1 draw with Brentford in gameweek 32. With Arsenal dropping points, Liverpool seized the opportunity to extend their lead by defeating West Ham 2-0, thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and captain Virgil van Dijk.
April 2025 could be a historic month for Liverpool, with Van Dijk committing to stay with the club for another two years, following Mohamed Salah’s extension. The Reds now need just two wins from their last six games to secure a second Premier League title. If they win at Leicester and Arsenal lose to Ipswich, the title will be theirs. While Liverpool did suffer a 3-2 defeat in their last away game at Fulham, they haven’t lost two consecutive away games in the Premier League since April 2023. Plus, they’ve scored in every away game since January, so Leicester’s defense will need to be at its best to keep them from clinching the title early.
On the other hand, Leicester City’s hopes of survival are slipping away fast. They’re already 17 points behind safety with only 18 points left to play for, and even a shocking win over Liverpool might not be enough to keep them in the Premier League if other results don’t go their way. The Foxes did show some attacking improvement last week, drawing 2-2 with Brighton, but it’s likely too little, too late for their survival fight.
If Leicester don’t win, they’ll be relegated, and even a victory might not save them if Wolves and West Ham both win their matches. They’ll also be hoping to avoid becoming the first team in Premier League history to go nine home games without scoring. Their last goal at home came in December in a 2-2 draw with Brighton, but that was followed by a 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Boxing Day.
With so much on the line for both teams, Sunday’s clash at the King Power Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
While it doesn’t look like Trent Alexander-Arnold will be joining Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk in signing a new contract anytime soon, there’s still some good news for Liverpool fans — Trent might be fit enough to make the bench this weekend after missing a month with an ankle injury.
Darwin Núñez is also expected to return after recovering from the illness that kept him out of the West Ham match. With those two back in the squad, Liverpool are almost at full strength — only Joe Gomez (hamstring) and Tyler Morton (shoulder) are still unavailable.
Mo Salah, meanwhile, is closing in on yet another Premier League milestone. He’s now had more goals and assists in a 38-game season than anyone else and is just three away from breaking the all-time record. On top of that, if he scores this weekend, he’ll become the first player to ever find the net in six different games against newly-promoted teams in a single Premier League season.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will also have a few more options to choose from this weekend. Both Wout Faes and teenage sensation Jeremy Monga — who recently became the second-youngest player in Premier League history — are back after minor knocks.
Victor Kristiansen (who missed time due to personal reasons) and Facundo Buonanotte (who couldn’t play last week because it was against his parent club) are also available again. However, Harry Winks is still suspended, and Abdul Fatawu is out with a knee injury.
With Faes back, Van Nistelrooy could go with a five-man defense, but given how well the team fought back for a draw against Brighton last week, he might stick with the same core lineup. Veteran striker Jamie Vardy, still going strong at 38, is set to lead the line once again.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Hermansen; Pereira, Okoli, Coady, Justin; Ndidi, Soumare; McAteer, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo
EXPERT PREDICTION
Leicester City 0-2 Liverpool
