Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
Leicester City
Leicester City
Wolves and Leicester face off in an interesting Midlands derby
Leicester to win 2-1
Both Wolves and Leicester earned wins in their midweek fixtures in order to bounce back from defeats and help get their seasons back on track.
Wolves are in a fight to reclaim a top half position having dropped to 14th courtesy of just one win from nine matches, including five defeats during that spell. That midweek win was helped massively by an Arsenal side who were reduced to nine men after two red cards.
Here, they face a tough task against a Leicester side going for major honours this season. Still without star striker Raul Jimenez, goals will need to come from elsewhere.
Leicester are now one of the most consistent teams in the league, winning their 13th game of the season against 18th placed Fulham in midweek.
A draw and a defeat from their last five means that they are two points behind 2nd place Manchester United, and five off City, who have a game in hand.
Form Guide (all comps): LWDLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Got back to winning ways with a win over Arsenal
Have only lost twice at home to Leicester in 19 meetings
Reasons to be fearful:
One win from eight is a poor display from a good team
Failed to score in five of seven previous meetings
A win in midweek was a good for Wolves’ morale, though still leaves them requiring a massive improvement in results to bump them back up the table.
The arrival of Willian Jose up front could add goals for the remainder of the season, but the improvement must also come from the existing players at the club, who have been a shadow of themselves compared with last year.
They remain a tough side to get past, however, particularly for the big sides when the Wanderers seem to come alive. They’ve taken 44 points from losing positions since their 2018 promotion to the Premier League, the third-best tally over that period.
Against Leicester, one of the league’s best away teams, they’ll need more of the same grit and quality they showed against Arsenal.
Star Man – Ruben Neves
The important midfielder has scored three goals in his previous five league appearances.
Form Guide (all comps): WWDLW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Will be hoping dropped points were a blip
Have won four of last seven meetings with Wolves
Reasons to be fearful:
Wolves always seem to play better against the bigger clubs
Tough run of fixtures coming up
Leicester will gladly welcome back Jamie Vardy into the starting line-up after having missed the last three league matches following a hernia operation.
Although not entirely down to the absence of their star player, Leicester have missed Vardy with a draw and just one league win from three games during that period. His pace will be vital against the stubborn Wolves defence.
They have an excellent record against Wolves, having only lost once out of their last seven meetings, winning four to boot. Even better, they’ve had an incredible run of form away from home this season, with their 26 away points tally second only to Manchester United on their travels.
The Foxes can’t afford any more slip ups with the two Manchester clubs ahead of them ready to pull away if there are.
Star Man – James Maddison
The talented midfielder has been involved in 12 goals in his last 12 appearances for the club.
Will be a tight game in terms of possession
Likely to be goals at both ends
Leicester are slight favourites based on form
Leicester are likely to start fast here, having won all seven away matches where they have scored the first goal.
If Wolves can hold out against the initial onslaught, they may stand a chance of grabbing something from the game.
However, the Foxes harbour genuine title hopes this season, and will be determined to claim another three points away from home here.
Leicester to win 2-1
