Preview: Leicester City vs Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

In the middle of a relegation dogfight, Leicester City welcome midtable dwellers Preston North End to the King Power Stadium for a Championship fixture on Friday.

The Foxes shared the spoils with Watford prior to the March international break, whilst the Lilywhites defeated Stoke City at Deepdale to provide some much-needed Lancashire cheer.

Match preview

After failing to keep a clean sheet from September to the beginning of March in the Championship, Leicester have shut out two teams in their past three matches to boost their chances of avoiding relegation to League One.

The latest of those positive defensive displays arrived at the Vicarage Road base of Watford on March 21, when - despite enjoying more possession and creating a greater number of chances - the Foxes were forced to settle for a point.

Winning just one of their past 13 second-tier battles and recently hit with a six-point deduction from the EFL, it is no surprise to find Gary Rowett's side sitting in the relegation zone, a single point behind 21st-placed Portsmouth.

The 2015-16 Premier League champions will need to address their concerning King Power form if they wish to dodge clashes against Burton Albion and company next term, with the Foxes losing five of their past six home league games.

Sometimes seemingly on a one-man mission to retain the second-tier status of the Midlands club, Jordan James has netted 10 Championship goals to date from a midfield role, beating his highest previous tally of eight strikes for Birmingham City in 2023-24.

Whilst all hopes of a playoff push and escape to the Premier League have evaporated over the past two months, Preston provided a sprinkling of excitement for their loyal supporters at Deepdale prior to the international pause.

Scoring his seventh and eighth Championship goals of the campaign, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alfie Devine bagged an exceptional brace in a 3-1 victory over Stoke City, with the Lilywhites ending a seven-game winless run (D2 L5).

However, Paul Heckingbottom's troops have earned just three points from their past five league contests which reflects poorly in the Championship standings, with Friday's visitors to the King Power lying 11 points behind the playoff picture.

Preston have fared woefully on the road since the turn of the calendar year, with their most recent away success arriving at Bristol City on January 4, when Lewis Dobbin and joint-leading marksman Devine found the Ashton Gate net.

Leicester had enjoyed a five-game unbeaten run (W4 D1) in this fixture spanning over 16 years before the two sides clashed in August 2025 at Deepdale, where the Lilywhites secured their first triumph over the Foxes since September 2009.

Leicester City Championship form:

D L D W L D

Preston North End Championship form:

D L L L L W

Team News

Leicester suffered an injury scare over the international break, when talisman James was forced off during Wales duty due to an Achilles problem.

Foxes head coach Rowett has since reassured supporters, with the dynamic midfielder set to be available over the Easter weekend.

Aaron Ramsey could make his return to the Leicester fold on Friday after missing all of the 2026 schedule so far.

Both featuring late on Tuesday night for Jamaica and Zambia respectively, Bobby Reid and Patson Daka could be rested from the start on Friday.

Playing no part for Northern Ireland during their World Cup playoff, Preston's Alistair McCann is sidelined because of an ankle problem.

A winter arrival from Championship rivals Portsmouth, Callum Lang is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Stolarczyk; Pereira, Okoli, Lascelles, Thomas; Winks, Skipp, Fatawu, James, Mavididi; Ayew

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Iversen; Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Valentin, Whiteman, Moran, Vukcevic; Devine, Dobbin, Osmajic

We say: Leicester City 2-1 Preston North End

With West Bromwich Albion recently picking up back-to-back wins in the relegation battle, Leicester need to start throwing consistent punches in the fight for Championship survival.

Preston are, in theory, an ideal visitor to the King Power, with the Lilywhites marooned in midtable with nothing tangible to play for.

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