Leicester vs Portsmouth Prediction & Betting Tips (18 October)

Leicester City enter the fixture riding a wave of momentum, unbeaten in their last seven matches and sitting comfortably in the top half of the table. Under Marti Cifuentes, the Foxes have found a rhythm, blending youth and experience with notable contributions from Fatawu Issahaku, who has netted three goals and provided an assist in nine appearances. Jannik Vestergaard and Ricardo Pereira have also chipped in from the back, each scoring twice. The midfield has been energized by Bilal El Khannouss, who has quickly made an impact with two assists in just two outings. Despite their strong form, Leicester will be cautious, as Cifuentes has yet to beat Portsmouth in two previous meetings, both ending in defeat.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, are navigating a more turbulent path. John Mousinho’s squad sits mid-table with 12 points from nine matches, having edged Middlesbrough 1-0 before the international break. Injury woes plague the team, with six players ruled out and two more doubtful for the trip to King Power Stadium. Nonetheless, Pompey have shown flashes of promise, particularly through midfielder Adrian Segecic, who leads the team with three goals. Young forward M. Yang and veteran Andre Dozzell have also contributed, while Joe Swift continues to be a creative force with two assists. Mousinho’s tactical discipline and ability to grind out results will be crucial against a technically superior Leicester side.

The historical context adds intrigue to the matchup. The last time these two sides met in a competitive fixture was back in 2011, with both encounters ending in 1-1 draws. Fast forward to 2025, and the stakes are higher, with Leicester boasting a market value nearly ten times that of Portsmouth. The King Power Stadium will host the match at an unusual 7:45 PM kickoff, a detail that could influence player performance and fan turnout. Both managers are relatively young—Cifuentes at 43 and Mousinho at 39—and bring contrasting philosophies to the pitch. Cifuentes favors possession and fluid attacking transitions, while Mousinho leans on compact defending and counter-attacks.

Given the current form, squad depth, and tactical setups, Leicester are expected to edge this contest, though not without resistance. Portsmouth’s resilience and Mousinho’s familiarity with Cifuentes’ style could make for a tightly contested affair. However, Leicester’s attacking options and home advantage should tip the balance. We predict a 2-1 victory for Leicester City, with Issahaku likely to play a decisive role. Expect Portsmouth to find the net through Segecic or Yang, but ultimately fall short as Leicester continue their unbeaten run and climb further up the Championship table.