Leicester City vs Ipswich Town – EFL Championship 2025/26 – Match Preview

Match Preview

The Sky Bet Championship serves up a high-profile clash on Saturday 13 December 2025 as Leicester City host Ipswich Town at the King Power Stadium. With the season reaching the point where form lines start to define the table, this fixture feels like a serious measuring-stick: Ipswich are right in the promotion mix, while Leicester are trying to build a run that can pull them back toward the play-off picture.

Ipswich Town arrive as one of the division’s most consistent performers, sitting around 4th place heading into the weekend. Their ability to blend control with quick vertical attacks has made them difficult to pin down, and they’ve picked up points in different ways—through patient possession, well-timed pressing, and clinical finishing when chances arrive.

Leicester City, meanwhile, have had a more stop-start campaign and begin this match around 13th in the standings. The Foxes have shown enough quality to threaten strong opponents, but inconsistency has prevented them from building momentum. A home game like this is exactly the kind of fixture that can kick-start a climb up the table—especially with the festive period approaching and points available in quick succession.

There’s also recent history between the clubs that suggests a tight, competitive battle. Several of the most recent meetings ended level, including a series of draws in the 2023/24 season. That pattern points to another match where fine margins—set-pieces, transitions, and discipline in key moments—could decide everything.

TV Broadcast and Livestreams

Broadcast availability depends on your region and broadcaster selections. Supporters should check local listings and official club/EFL channels to confirm the platform carrying this match.

Match Information

Championship Table Context

This fixture is shaped by two different objectives:

Ipswich will view this as a chance to reinforce their promotion credentials away from home, while Leicester see it as an opportunity to take a “big” result and flip the mood around their campaign.

Form Guide & Key Storylines

Head-to-Head

Leicester and Ipswich have played a number of close, competitive matches over the years. In the modern era, this fixture has frequently been decided by small moments and draws have not been uncommon.

Selected Recent Meetings

That recent draw-heavy pattern suggests this could again be a match where discipline and finishing decide the outcome rather than dominance alone.

Tactical Outlook

Leicester City: controlled aggression and protecting transitions

• Home-front tempo: Leicester may aim for a fast opening to lift the crowd and push Ipswich back.
• Midfield security: avoiding turnovers in central zones will be vital against Ipswich breaks.
• Wide delivery: creating crossing and cut-back chances to test Ipswich’s box defending.
• Set-pieces: corners and free-kicks can be a key route to goals in a tight Championship contest.

Ipswich Town: composure, width, and sharp final-third combinations

• Build-up under pressure: Ipswich will try to play through Leicester’s press rather than bypass it.
• Attacking width: stretching the pitch to open space for runners between the lines.
• Quick transitions: turning defensive wins into attacks in a few passes when Leicester overcommit.
• Game management: keeping rhythm and avoiding unnecessary fouls near their own box.

The key battle may be Leicester’s press versus Ipswich’s ability to play through it. If Ipswich beat the first line of pressure, they can create high-quality chances quickly. If Leicester win the ball high, the home side can pile on pressure and force Ipswich into deep defending.

Key Players to Watch

• Leicester City – attacking focal point: Leicester will need a strong penalty-box presence to convert crosses and half-chances into goals.
• Leicester City – central midfielders: controlling second balls and stopping counters early could decide whether Leicester can sustain pressure safely.
• Ipswich Town – creative link player: the player who finds pockets between the lines can unlock Leicester’s defensive structure.
• Ipswich Town – wide outlets: fast wide players can turn defensive moments into attacking situations in seconds, especially if Leicester’s full backs push on.

Match Outlook and Prediction

Predicted Final Score: Leicester City 1–1 Ipswich Town

Ipswich’s league position and consistency make them a difficult opponent, even away from home. Leicester, however, should be stronger at the King Power and will see this as a chance to claim a signature result against a top-four side.

With recent head-to-head meetings often ending level and both teams likely to have strong phases, a draw feels realistic. Prediction: Leicester City 1–1 Ipswich Town.