Leicester City predictions for Premier League 2024/25: Probable finish, odds, signings, best players and full squad

After winning the Championship title, Leicester City will return to the Premier League in 2024/25.

Just seven years after winning the title and two years after lifting the FA Cup, Foxes suffered a shock relegation in 2022/23 but recovered brilliantly under Enzo Maresca, accruing 97 points to pip Ipswich Town to the title by just a single point.

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Maresca has since departed to take over Chelsea, replaced by Steve Cooper, while star midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also been sold to the Blues. However, optimism remains high among Leicester supporters that they can re-stabilise as a top-flight club.

Despite this, Leicester are odds-on favourites to be relegated from the Premier League. The implied probability of them going down is 71.4%. That’s not good reading.

So, can Leicester defy the odds and make a strong return to the Premier League? Read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming season.

Latest Leicester City odds to be relegated from the 2024/25 Premier League

As mentioned, Leicester City are more likely to be relegated than they are challenge for a spot in European football. For those dreaming of another miracle title win, their implied probability is a generous 0.1%.

Leicester City’s summer transfer window business so far

Leicester City transfers in

The Foxes have already been busy in the summer transfer market, bringing in the likes of Issahaku Fatawu (loan made permanent), Caleb Okoli, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Facundo Buonanotte.

Leicester City transfers out

As mentioned, Leicester have sold Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Dennis Praet and Marc Albrighton have all departed at the end of their contracts, while Harry Souttar has been sent on loan to Sheffield United.

Who are Leicester City’s most important players?

Leicester City’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy managed just three goals in his last Premier League season. However, the veteran forward proved he’s lost none of his final-third instincts as he netted 18 goals in 35 Championship appearances last season, spearheading the Foxes’ return to the big time. Waiting in the wings are the likes of Tom Cannon and Patson Daka, but Vardy remains Leicester’s most natural and potent finisher.

Leicester City’s primary playmaker: Abdul Fatawu

Dewsbury-Hall was Leicester’s top assist provider (14) and chance creator (109) last season but, of course, he now wears the blue of Chelsea. Just behind the Englishman in Leicester’s assist charts, however, was Abdul Fatawu with 13, while he was third for chances created (66).

The Ghanaian winger’s loan from Sporting CP has been made permanent this summer and his speed and trickery will prove vital to the Foxes’ hopes of re-stabilising as a Premier League force in 2024/25.

Leicester City’s card magnet & top tackler: Harry Winks

Jannik Vestergaard received a team-high 13 yellow cards in the Championship last season but not far behind him in second was Harry Winks on nine. And that’s because the former Tottenham man was busy acting not only as a midfield metronome, but also as a destroyer. The 28-year-old was second among Leicester players for tackles (73) and first for fouls (52). That nasty streak is going to be important as the Foxes come up against stronger opposition this season.

Leicester City’s rising star: Michael Goulding

In a separate deal to Dewsbury-Hall — but no doubt influential — Leicester have acquired young midfielder Michael Golding from Chelsea. The 18-year-old arrives at the King Power Stadium with 33 caps for England across various youth levels, while he’s also been capped once for the Republic of Ireland U16s.

In club football, Golding played 42 times for Chelsea’s combined youth teams, scoring eight goals and providing six assists, while he even made a short cameo from the bench in the Blues’ 4-0 FA Cup third-round win over Preston North End last season. Of course, a few minutes from the bench isn’t enough to draw any conclusions, but Golding’s senior debut saw him complete 100% of his passes, register a shot on target and have one touch in the opposition box. Not a bad start by any means, but can he force his way into Cooper’s reckoning?

Leicester City’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: Jamie Vardy
• Free-kicks: Stephy Mavididi
• Corners: Stephy Mavididi

Leicester City tactical analysis & formation

Leicester City team stats from the 2023/24 Championship season (avg per game):

• Corners: 5.5
• Shots on target: 5.2
• Offsides: 1.7

Although he has experimented with five-at-the-back systems in the past, Steve Cooper is best known for lining up in a 4-3-3 with a focus on possession football. That system suits Leicester’s key players well, with Winks able to sit at the base of midfield and dictate possession while Ndidi and Soumare run box-to-box duties. Full-backs Ricardo and Justin also have great physical qualities and love to get up and down the line.

Leicester City’s full Premier League 2024/25 squad

Leicester City FAQs

Where did Leicester City finish in the 2023/24 Championship season?

Leicester City finished top of the Championship table in 2023/24, winning the title with 97 points.

Who is the Leicester City manager?

Steve Cooper is the Leicester City manager, taking over this summer following Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea.

Who is the current Leicester City captain?

Jamie Vardy is the current Leicester City captain.

Will Leicester City play in Europe in 2024/25?

Leicester City will not play in European competition this season, last doing so in the 2021/22 campaign when they reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

More Premier League 2024/25 content:

• 2024/25 Premier League fixture list
• Premier League net spend