Preston vs Leicester Prediction & Betting Tips (16 August)

Preston North End welcome Leicester City to Deepdale on August 16th in what promises to be a compelling Championship clash. Both sides opened their campaigns with 1–1 draws, leaving them eager to notch their first win of the season. Preston, under Ryan Lowe, are still nursing wounds from last season’s late collapse and will be without key midfielders Ali McCann, Brad Potts, and Ben Whiteman due to lingering injuries. Despite the setbacks, Lowe is expected to field a familiar lineup, with Milutin Osmajić leading the line and Alan Browne anchoring the midfield. The Lilywhites will be banking on home advantage and a spirited performance to upset the visitors.

Leicester City, now under the guidance of Marti Cifuentes following Enzo Maresca’s departure, are entering a new era with high expectations. The Foxes were promoted last season and are widely tipped to challenge for the Championship title again. Their squad boasts experience and flair, with Jamie Vardy still a threat up front and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall orchestrating play from midfield. However, they’ll be without Kasey McAteer due to a hamstring injury, and Jannik Vestergaard is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards. Cifuentes is likely to rely on Conor Coady to shore up the defense and maintain tactical discipline.

The tactical battle will be intriguing. Preston are expected to adopt a compact shape, aiming to frustrate Leicester’s possession-heavy style and strike on the counter. Leicester, meanwhile, will look to dominate the ball and exploit spaces with their fluid front three. The midfield duel between Dewsbury-Hall and Browne could be decisive, as both players are capable of dictating tempo and driving their teams forward. Set pieces may also play a crucial role, with both sides possessing aerial threats and capable delivery.

While Leicester enter as favorites, Preston’s resilience and home crowd could tilt the balance. Given the current form, injuries, and tactical setups, a 2–1 victory for Preston seems plausible. Osmajić could be the difference-maker, capitalizing on defensive lapses, while Vardy might grab a consolation goal for the Foxes. It’s a scoreline that reflects both teams’ ambitions and vulnerabilities—a narrow win for the hosts that could spark momentum early in the season.