Leicester Season Preview: Key Player, Signing to Watch, Predicted Lineup and Betting Tip

Leicester are next up in our 2024/25 Premier League season preview as we look back at their 2023/24 campaign, pick out the key player, the signing to watch, predict where they'll finish and make a betting tip via oddschecker. 

2023/24 Season Roundup 

After falling into the Championship last summer, Leicester made immediate amends under then new manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to the title, amassing 97 points. The 2015/16 Premier League champions relied on a blend of youth and experience, with key players Abdul Fatawu, Harry Winks and Stephy Mavididi all stepping up during their promotion-winning campaign. 

Key Player - Harry Winks 

After making a permanent move from boyhood side Tottenham last summer, Harry Winks started all but one of Leicester’s league matches in the Championship last season. The 28-year-old quickly became a crucial cog in Enzo Maresca’s midfield, alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who followed his former manager to Chelsea earlier this summer. Winks, one of the more experienced players in the Foxes’ squad, will be expected to play a big role under new manager Steve Cooper. 

Signing to Watch - Facundo Buonanotte 

Financial issues have hampered Leicester upon their return to the top-flight, while a points deduction has also loomed all summer, and, as such, the Foxes have not been the busiest team in the transfer market. Our signing to watch is 19-year-old winger Facundo Buonanotte, who is set to spend the season on loan from Brighton. The Argentine made 17 league starts for the Seagulls last term, returning three goals and one assist. The talent, evidently, is there for the teenager, but it seems the playing time will have to come away from Fabian Hurzeler’s side this season.

Predicted opening day XI: Hermansen; Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi; Fatawu, Decordova-Reid, Mavididi; Daka

Predicted finish - 20th 

Betting tip 

Given the lack of additions to their squad upon promotion, and a somewhat discouraging pre-season campaign under Steve Cooper, Leicester are our pick to finish bottom of the pile this season.

As such, you can back the Foxes to finish bottom at best price 7/4 with bet365, via oddschecker (price correct as of 10:00 on 14/08/2024).