Leicester City vs Tottenham Picks and Predictions: Long Layoff Leaves Foxes to be Hunted

In front of their supporters at the King Power Stadium, Leicester City will play their first Premier League game of 2022 on Wednesday. 

A pair of cancellations mean the Foxes haven't played in the league since Dec. 28 but they'll continue their season against Tottenham, who saw the North London derby called off over the weekend at Arsenal's request. 

With two fresh squads in Leicester and Spurs, how will this one play out? Find out with our free Premier League betting picks and predictions for Leicester City vs. Tottenham. 

Leicester City vs Tottenham match odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

Compare EPL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Leicester City vs Tottenham betting tips

• Prediction: Tottenham (+123)
• Prediction: Over 2.5 (-132)
• Best bet: Lucas Moura anytime goal (+240)

Predictions made on 1/18/2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Leicester City vs Tottenham game info

• Location: King Power Stadium, Leicester, England
• Date: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
• Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
• TV: USA Network, DAZN

Leicester City vs Tottenham betting preview

Weather

It's expected to be a cold, clear night in Leicester on Wednesday for Spurs' meeting with Leicester City. Temperatures at kickoff are forecast around 40 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff.

Injuries

Leicester City: Boubakary Soumare CM (Questionable), Timothy Castagne RB (Questionable), Daniel Amartey CB (Out), Wilfred Ndidi CM (Out), Kelechi Iheanacho ST (Out), Wesley Fofana CB (Out), Jamie Vardy ST (Out), Jonny Evans CB (Out), Ricardo Pereira RB (Out), Ryan Bertrand LB (Out).
Tottenham: Eric Dier CB (Questionable), Cristian Romero CB (Questionable), Steven Bergwijn AM (Questionable), Sergio Reguilon LB (Questionable), Son Heung-min ST (Out).

Leicester City vs Tottenham predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Side analysis

In a full-season view, Leicester City and Tottenham are two of the league's biggest disappointments. However, they currently have fairly different outlooks. 

For Spurs, new manager Antonio Conte has lit a fire under a talented squad and their League Cup semifinal against Chelsea aside, has gotten improved performances from the squad. Tottenham now look like a strong challenger for the Top 4, provided they can make Conte's desired additions in January, with no losses and just six points dropped out of a possible 24 in the league under their new manager. 

It's a less positive spot for Leicester. They finally return to Premier League action missing several key figures, most notably Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi. Vardy continues to be the irreplaceable figure at the head of Leicester's attack, with nine goals on the season. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury coincided with a return to form for James Maddison, Leicester's No. 10 who started the season terribly but has rounded into form lately. 

For as vital as Vardy continues to be, Ndidi isn't far off, particularly with Leicester's poor defensive record this year. The defensive midfielder is one of the best in the world at halting opposing attacks, regardless of how he does it. 

Now the Foxes must continue to operate with a defense that's 16th in expected goals against and 15th in goals conceded, despite playing fewer games than the teams around them, without the benefit of Ndidi shielding them, as the Nigerian is at the African Cup of Nations.

Even in ideal circumstances, Tottenham would love their chances of taking all three points on Wednesday. Having not played in the league for over three weeks and now doing so without their best striker and best midfielder is not ideal circumstances for Leicester, so Spurs should come away with a win.  

Prediction: Tottenham (+123)

Over/Under analysis

Despite some underwhelming performances and continued struggles from Harry Kane, Tottenham's attack has seen an uptick in production since Antonio Conte took charge. Spurs have scored 14 goals in eight games under Conte with only the first game, a 0-0 draw at Everton, ending without a goal from his team. The underlying numbers back up Spurs' production, with their 14-goal tally from an xG of 17.2.

At the heart of Spurs' attack during this run has been Son Heung-min, not Kane. Yet, it doesn't seem to be an issue for the North London club. Conte has his wingbacks pushed further forward and aiding in attack, and has reconnected the midfield and attack after perpetual disconnection for several years.

Until Kane fires back up and establishes his devastating connection with Son, it may not look convincing, but Tottenham's attack has produced. 

Even with a fully available squad, Leicester's attack has been middling this season. They rank 13th in shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, while sitting just inside the Top 10 in goals and expected goals. Without Vardy or Kelechi Iheanacho, their attack will be without a focal point, as the two strikers have combined to account for 11 of 31 goals and 8.3 of 27.2 xG this season. 

So while Leicester's attack isn't inspiring ahead of Wednesday, Spurs' attack offers optimism. With a poor performing defense missing one of the league's best destroyers, Ndidi, to shield them, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Spurs put several past Leicester 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel. With a 2.5 total, we have to go Over in this spot. 

Prediction: Over 2.5 (-132)

Best bet

As mentioned, Son has been at the heart of Spurs' attack in recent weeks and has scored twice as many goals as Kane across competitions. Unfortunately for Tottenham, Son is expected to miss time with a muscle injury, leaving a hard-running vacancy next to Kane. 

That place should be taken by Tottenham cult hero Lucas Moura, who has impressed the new manager with solid performances for Conte. Moura has been a consistent starter for the Italian and he should be played further forward in Son's absence.

For all of the criticism Kane has received this season, there's still no arguing the positive impact his movement and ability to play passes has on his strike partners. We've seen Son benefit and now Moura stands to do so as well. 

Against a Leicester team that could be lacking match sharpness and will be without its best defensive midfielder, Tottenham are sure to score. At +100 for Kane to score compared to +240 for Moura, we are going to back the Brazilian.

Pick: Lucas Moura anytime goal (+240)

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