Leicester City host Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men were comfortably beaten by Newcastle United last time out, so there’s certainly a need for a reaction.
Leicester should have Harry Winks and Boubakary Soumare back from the sidelines, though, Mads Hermansen is a doubt after he picked up a groin strain at St James’ Park.
Wilfred Ndidi, Abdul Fatawu, and Ricardo Pereira will all miss the clash as they recover from long-term injuries. Ndidi, however, could be back in the new year.
Victory for the hosts would move them eight points clear of their relegation rivals, so it could turn out to be a relegation six-pointer.
The visitors will have a new manager in the dugout, Vitor Pereira, who replaced the sacked Gary O’Neill.
To get the lowdown on how they may set up, Leicester City News spoke to Wolves expert Tom Procter, who writes for Molineux News.
Vítor Pereira, head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers takes his first training session at The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground on December 19, 2024 ...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
Where the game could be won and lost
Speaking exclusively to Leicester City News, Procter explained Wolves will have to improve their defensive frailties if they’re to get anything at the King Power.
“For Wolves, getting a result against Leicester will more than likely depend on how good the defending is – and this season that has been pretty woeful,” the Molineux News journalist explained.
“If Wolves can actually turn in a strong defensive performance under the new manager, then there should be a reasonable chance of winning the game as the forwards – Matheus Cunha, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Goncalo Guedes from the bench – have all been in great form and are big threats in most games they play.
“If we see a similar pattern from Wolves as in recent weeks, then Leicester will have an easy time scoring goals and winning the game.”
Where Wolves are weakest
Wolves statistically have the worst defence in the Premier League and Procter highlighted set-pieces as an area to exploit for Leicester.
“Wolves have been atrocious at the back this season, conceding 40 goals in just 16 Premier League games so far,” he said.
“The failure to sign a replacement for Max Kilman has proven very costly, and the season-ending injury to Yerson Mosquera certainly didn’t help matters.
“Wolves have been all over the shop at the back and have given away goals in embarrassing fashion at times.
“Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson both really lack pace so there’s potential for Leicester to get some joy there. Wolves are also especially abysmal at defending set-pieces, so there should be genuine reason for Foxes fans to get excited any time Leicester get a corner of a free-kick.”
What to expect from Vitor Pereira
Pereira joins the Premier League side as a relative unknown and nobody quite knows what style he’ll look to implement.
Procter notes that we could see Wolves line-up in either a four or five at the back formation.
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“Pereira has only just come in as Gary O’Neil’s successor so no one really knows yet exactly how he’ll set this Wolves team up.
“But across the 12 clubs – yes 12 – he’s previously managed, he’s used both three and four-man defences.
“It’s anyone’s guess what formation he’ll use on Sunday, but with Ait-Nouri suspended, it could well be a flat-back four with Toti in at left-back.
“Given the rate at which Wolves have been conceding goals though, the new manager will be determined to see greater defensive solidity in his first game in charge, so it’s very possible Pereira could still use a back three with wing-backs and look to hit on the counter.
“We’ve been told that Pereira can play expressive football, but he can also be cautious too. We’ll soon find out which route he goes down but at this point, Wolves fans will absolutely take a pragmatic style of football that yields positive results.”
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