Leicester v Crystal Palace preview: Roy Hodgson resurgence set for Foxes test

Crystal Palace's resurgence under Roy Hodgson faces its toughest test yet when the Eagles travel to in-form Leicester on Saturday.

After a testing start to the campaign, Palace are unbeaten in their last six games under Hodgson - a run which has moved them to within a point of safety.

In eight previous meetings, Hodgson has never lost against Leicester as a manager, something he'll be keen to continue as Palace look to go seven games unbeaten for the first time in the Premier League.

However, with the Foxes unbeaten in their last four encounters with Palace, and on the trail of a fifth-straight victory following Wednesday's 4-1 win at Southampton, the visitors will have to be at their best to halt a rampant Leicester outfit.

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Team news

Shinji Okazaki shrugged off a head injury to score two goals against Southampton and is expected to retain his place in the Leicester side.

Robert Huth (ankle) and Matty James (Achilles) are unavailable but manager Claude Puel is hopeful the pair will available as they step up their recoveries.

Crystal Palace will be without the suspended Luka Milivojevic for Saturday's trip to the King Power Stadium.

The central midfielder serves a one-match ban, and his absence is worsened by respective calf, groin and hamstring injuries to Mamadou Sakho, Joel Ward and Timothy Fosu-Mensah.

In their absences, Martin Kelly is expected to return at right-back, and Scott Dann and James Tomkins will continue in central defence. James McArthur and Jason Puncheon compete to replace Milivojevic.

Opta stats

Crystal Palace have picked up 10 points from their last six Premier League games, as many as they managed from their previous 17 in the competition.

Roy Hodgson's last Premier League game against Leicester City was in August 1998, 7049 days ago on the day of this game - the longest ever gap between a manager facing a particular opponent in the competition.

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Since Claude Puel took charge of Leicester City for the first time on October 29, only Manchester City (21) and Burnley (18) have won more points in the Premier League than the Foxes (17).

Christian Benteke has failed to score in the Premier League this season despite attempting 24 shots in 942 minutes. Overall, Benteke's goalless streak in the Premier League now stands at 13 games - his longest ever run in the competition without a goal.

Merson's prediction

Leicester are flying. Palace have done well recently but Leicester have really turned the corner and look back to the form they showed when they won the Premier League, even better at times! They are really taking it to teams.

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When he was appointed I wasn't the greatest fan of Claude Puel coming in, but what I like is, it looks like he has learnt his lesson from Southampton, where it didn't go that well. He probably looked at it and thought it's horses for courses. He has players who can be more expansive and attack more than at Southampton, so he is having more of a go, and fair play to him.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Watch Leicester v Crystal Palace on Premier League Live this Saturday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Premier League.

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