However, their struggles at home have been particularly alarming, with five consecutive league defeats on their own turf without scoring. The last time they found the net at the King Power in the league was back in early December, and with fan discontent growing, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side are desperate to turn things around.
Brentford, meanwhile, arrive in Leicester in impressive away form. After going winless in their first nine Premier League road games (D2, L7), Thomas Frank’s men have now won three away games in a row, picking up victories at Southampton, Crystal Palace, and most recently, a 1-0 triumph over West Ham. The Bees have never won four consecutive top-flight away games, but their recent performances suggest they are well-positioned to make history. Their strong form on the road is in stark contrast to their early-season struggles away from home, and they also have an excellent record in Friday night fixtures, having won four of five such games since their promotion to the Premier League.
Leicester can take some solace in their past performances against Brentford, as they have lost just one of the last 13 league meetings (W9, D3). They are also unbeaten in their last four home league encounters with the Bees (W2, D2). However, Brentford’s 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season ended an eight-game winless run against the Foxes and gave them the opportunity to do the league double over Leicester for the first time since the 1952-53 campaign. Kevin Schade, who netted a hat-trick in that win, will be eager to make another impact here.
Leicester’s attacking woes are compounded by the fact that Jamie Vardy has never scored against Brentford in four league appearances. The Foxes have also scored fewer first-half goals than any other Premier League side this season, with just seven in total (28% of their overall tally). Meanwhile, Brentford’s defence has tightened up, keeping clean sheets in three of their last four away matches.
Team News
Team news could play a key role in this fixture. Leicester’s James Justin is a doubt after being forced off in the first half against Arsenal, and Woyo Coulibaly could be handed a full debut at right-back. Wilfred Ndidi’s return from injury has added steel to the Foxes’ midfield, and he is likely to start again here. Ricardo Pereira (muscle) and Abdul Fatawu (knee) remain sidelined, with the latter out for the rest of the season.
Brentford, on the other hand, could be without Sepp van den Berg, who faces a late fitness test after picking up a knee injury at West Ham. However, the return of Ethan Pinnock provides stability at the back. Frank is expected to name an unchanged lineup after last weekend’s solid display, with Schade leading the attack alongside Bryan Mbeumo, who has been involved in 12 goals in his last nine league appearances against promoted sides.
Both teams have plenty to fight for, with Leicester desperate to escape the relegation zone and Brentford aiming for a top-half finish. Given the contrasting form of the two sides, this Friday night fixture could be a pivotal moment in their respective campaigns.