- Leicester won the Championship title last season
- Enzo Maresca has departed to take charge of Chelsea
- Recommended bet: Leicester to be relegated

Leicester secured an immediate return to the Premier League last season as they won the Championship title but their preparations for the new campaign have been turbulent.

Enzo Maresca left to take charge of Chelsea, with former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper replacing him as manager, and last season’s Player of the Season Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has followed the Italian to Stamford Bridge in a £30million move.

Last season

Leicester found themselves back in the Championship last season just seven years after sensationally winning the Premier League title and two after claiming a maiden FA Cup crown.

The Foxes made sure their time outside the top tier was brief, however, as they won their first four matches and spent the vast majority of the campaign inside the top two, ultimately winning the title with 97 points, one above closest rivals Ipswich and seven ahead of third-placed Leeds. 

Manager

Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper was appointed to replace Maresca and he arrives with an impressive CV, despite being axed by his former club midway through last season.

Cooper won promotion with Forest in 2022 and kept them up in their first season in the Premier League, but the club decided to end his time in charge in December of 2023 after a run of just one win in 13 games. 

Transfers

Leicester have made a few signings over the summer with Bobby Decordova-Reid, Abdul Fatawu, Michael Golding and Caleb Okoli all joining the club.

However, they have lost some key men and Dewsbury-Hall’s departure comes as a huge blow. Striker Kelechi Iheanacho has left for Sevilla in Spain and no replacement has been signed, while long-serving duo Marc Albrighton and Dennis Praet left when their contracts came to an end.

Strengths and weaknesses

The threat of a points deduction is hanging over Leicester due to PSR issues and that is a glaring concern. If they are handed a penalty, survival could become a mammoth task for a squad who look weaker on paper than they did last season.

The Foxes have plenty of experience at this level within their squad and Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, Wilfred Ndidi and Harry Winks are among their proven performers in the Premier League.

One area where Leicester look a little light is in attack. Jamie Vardy is now 37 and is no longer the threat he once was, and he may have to settle for a role largely as an impact player in the campaign ahead. Stephy Mavididi scored 13 goals last season but is yet to make a Premier League appearance, while Patson Daka struggled for form in the Championship and made just 20 appearances, scoring seven goals. 

Best outright bet

Leicester are the favourites for the drop and for good reason. The squad Cooper has at his disposal does not look as strong as the team who won promotion last term and a lack of attacking options is a major concern.

Dewsbury-Hall was their standout performer last term and their midfield looks significantly weaker without him, and it could be a difficult season ahead for the Foxes.

Even if they avoid a points deduction this team will likely struggle, and any kind of penalty may give them far too much to do.

Back Leicester to be relegated at 2/5 with LiveScore Bet.