This Sunday, Leicester City will face Wolverhampton Wanderers in a crucial Premier League match at the King Power Stadium. With both teams struggling in the bottom half of the table, this match could be vital in determining their survival hopes for the rest of the season. Leicester, under the guidance of new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, will look to bounce back from a tough defeat to Newcastle, while Wolves, now under the management of Vitor Pereira, will be eager to turn their fortunes around after a disappointing start to the season.
In this preview, we will dive into the current form of both teams, key player news, tactical insights, and a prediction for how this matchup might unfold.
Vitor Pereira’s First Test as Wolves Manager
Vitor Pereira takes charge of his first match as Wolves manager following the sacking of Gary O’Neil. Wolves have been struggling this season, currently sitting 19th in the Premier League standings with just nine points from 16 matches. O’Neil’s departure came after a 2-1 defeat to relegation rivals Ipswich Town, a result that left the club in dire straits.
Pereira, who has had previous managerial stints at clubs like FC Porto and Olympiacos, now faces the challenge of revitalizing a Wolves team that has been underperforming. The Portuguese coach is known for his fiery passion on the sidelines, and Wolves fans will be hoping that his presence can spark a much-needed turnaround.
Leicester’s Struggles and the Impact of Van Nistelrooy
Leicester City, too, have been navigating a turbulent season. After parting ways with Steve Cooper last month, the club brought in Ruud van Nistelrooy to lead the team. The Dutchman has managed to bring some stability to the East Midlands side, securing four points from his first two games in charge. However, Leicester’s poor form was evident last weekend when they were thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle, a result that sent shockwaves through the club. Despite their recent struggles, Leicester have managed to climb out of the relegation zone, and Van Nistelrooy will be determined to ensure they stay there.
The key for Leicester will be to strike the right balance between defensive solidity and attacking ambition. Van Nistelrooy, a former goal-scoring great for Manchester United, will undoubtedly be pushing his team to improve offensively, especially in front of their home fans.
Key Match Information
Before diving into the tactical preview, let’s first take a look at the key match details for this fixture:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | King Power Stadium, Leicester, England |
| Date | Sunday, 22 December |
| Kick-off Time | 14:00 GMT / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT |
| Referee | Anthony Taylor |
| VAR | Michael Salisbury |
Leicester vs Wolves: Head-to-Head Record
Both teams have had mixed fortunes in their recent encounters, but Leicester will take confidence from their recent victory over Wolves in April 2023. Here’s a quick look at the last five meetings between the two clubs:
| Leicester | Wolves | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Wins | 1 Win | 1 Draw |
| Last Meeting: Leicester 2-1 Wolves (22 April 2023) |
This record shows Leicester have had the upper hand in recent seasons, but Wolves’ victory and the draw indicate that they are capable of pulling off a result in this match.
Current Form: Leicester vs Wolves
Both teams have been inconsistent in recent weeks, with Leicester struggling defensively and Wolves failing to find a consistent rhythm in attack. Here’s a look at their recent form across all competitions:
Leicester’s Recent Form:
- Newcastle 4-0 Leicester (14/12/24) – A crushing defeat.
- Leicester 2-2 Brighton (08/12/24) – A hard-fought draw.
- Leicester 3-1 West Ham (03/12/24) – A vital home win.
- Brentford 4-1 Leicester (30/11/24) – A tough defeat.
- Leicester 1-2 Chelsea (23/11/24) – A narrow loss.
Wolves’ Recent Form:
- Wolves 1-2 Ipswich (14/12/24) – A disappointing loss at home.
- West Ham 2-1 Wolves (09/12/24) – A narrow loss.
- Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth (30/11/24) – A heavy defeat.
- Everton 4-0 Wolves (04/12/24) – A heavy loss.
- Fulham 1-4 Wolves (23/11/24) – A big win on the road.
Both teams come into this match with poor recent results, and the pressure is mounting on both managers to deliver a positive result. For Leicester, especially, it is important to get back on track after their humbling loss to Newcastle, while Wolves will be hoping to see an immediate improvement under Pereira.
Leicester City Team News
Leicester will be hoping to have key players fit for this important match. Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who has been one of the team’s standout performers this season, was forced off during the Newcastle game with a knock. He remains a doubt, with Danny Ward on standby, although Ward has struggled in recent weeks.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will have midfielder Boubakary Soumare available after he served a one-match suspension. Wilfred Ndidi is also closing in on a return from injury, which will be a huge boost for the team.
Here’s a predicted lineup for Leicester:
Leicester Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: Ward
- Defenders: Justin, Vestergaard, Coady, Kristiansen
- Midfielders: Soumare, Skipp, McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss
- Forward: Vardy
Wolves Team News
Wolves will also be missing a few key players for this clash. Matheus Cunha is available for now, but after his post-match antics following the Ipswich defeat, an FA ban is likely imminent.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was sent off after the final whistle in the Ipswich game, will miss this match. However, Joao Gomes is back from suspension and will be a crucial addition to the midfield.
Here’s a predicted lineup for Wolves:
Wolves Predicted Lineup (3-5-2):
- Goalkeeper: Johnstone
- Defenders: Semedo, Bueno, Toti
- Midfielders: Doherty, Andre, Lemina, J Gomes, R Gomes
- Forwards: Cunha, Strand Larsen
Tactical Preview
Leicester have generally been strong at home, often scoring goals in front of their home crowd. However, their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed in recent matches, particularly in the 4-0 loss to Newcastle. They will need to shore up their defense while maintaining their attacking threat, led by Jamie Vardy, who will be looking to capitalize on any chances created.
For Wolves, Pereira’s tactical approach will likely focus on a more compact defense and a counter-attacking style, given the lack of center-backs available. Despite injuries and suspensions, Wolves’ strength lies in their midfield, and the return of Joao Gomes could be a game-changer for them.
Leicester vs Wolves Prediction
This is a difficult match to predict given the form of both teams. Leicester will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat, and they have the attacking quality to do so. However, their defensive fragility could play into the hands of a Wolves side eager for a fresh start under Pereira.
Wolves, despite their struggles, will be full of energy and determination to impress their new manager. Their defense is weak, but they could exploit Leicester’s own issues at the back.
Prediction: Leicester 1-2 Wolves
Both teams will need to bring their best performances to secure a crucial three points. Leicester have the home advantage, but Wolves’ new manager could inject the spark needed for an upset.
Sunday’s match at King Power Stadium is shaping up to be a tense and closely contested affair. Both Leicester and Wolves are desperate for points as they look to avoid relegation, and this clash could prove pivotal in their respective campaigns. With both sides experiencing turmoil, the match is expected to be unpredictable, but one thing is certain—both teams will give their all to secure a much-needed victory.
