Leicester take on Wolves in a bottom-of-the-table clash that could potentially see both teams end the weekend in the relegation zone.
The Foxes had started brightly under new boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, but a 4-0 thumping by Newcastle showed that the club is still experiencing some defensive frailties. Despite their troubles at the back, Leicester will still be hoping to come away with a victory that would see them move further away from the drop zone.
This fixture is possibly even more crucial for Wolves. Currently five points adrift of safety, a loss to relegation-threatened Ipswich last weekend will have truly dampened their spirits. That, coupled with this fixture being the first under new manager Vitor Pereira, shows just how vital it is for Wolves that they secure all three points.
How the bookies view it: Neither team clearly the favourite
Bookies appear to have this fixture marked out as a fairly even contest. Leicester are slight favourites at 31/20, with Wolves having an almost equal chance of walking away with a victory at 7/4. A draw appears to be the least likely outcome at 13/5, and this would be a result that benefits neither team, as they are both desperate to win the relegation six-pointer.
Head-to-head: Leicester enjoying dominant spell
Leicester have the edge in more recent encounters, winning three of the previous five clashes they’ve faced against their fellow midlanders. A resounding 4-0 away victory in October 2022 was the most impressive of those victories – a game in which current club captain Jamie Vardy was on the scoresheet.
Players to watch: Vardy to haunt Wolves again
Foxes captain Jamie Vardy has two goals and one assist in his last three appearances against the West Midlands club, and with six Premier League goals already to his name this season, it could be another tricky afternoon for the Wolves defence.
With the one-time Premier League champion only eight strikes shy of the coveted 150 mark in the competition, he will be desperate to get himself on the scoresheet.
Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha would usually be the man to watch with 11 goal contributions in the 2024/25 campaign, but an altercation with one of Ipswich’s backroom staff has left his ability to feature at the weekend in jeopardy.
A lengthy ban may be expected for the forward, and so, if he is unable to play, Wolves may turn to new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen to provide the goals. The Norwegian has already racked up 6 in 16 appearances during his debut Premier League season.
Predicted line-ups
With Mads Hermansen still injured for Leicester and Conor Coady having played poorly against Newcastle, there will most likely be a shake up at the back for Leicester.
Meanwhile, with Rayan Ait-Nouri suspended, Wolves will likely be without their two best players. It is tough to predict Wolves’ starting lineup given that the fixture will be Vitor Pereira’s first game in charge.
Leicester: Ward – Kristiansen, Vestergaard, Faes, Justin – Soumare, Skipp – Mavididi, El Khannous, McAteer – Vardy
Wolves: Johnstone – Semedo, Bueno, Toti – Doherty, Andre, Lemina, Lima – Bellegarde, Hwang, Strand Larsen
Anything else catch the eye?
With both teams already having conceded 74 goals between them, it is very likely that both sides will find the net in the game. A Leicester win with both teams to score is priced at a market average of 10/3.
Similarly, over 3.5 goals in the match is a tempting 17/10, given the two teams’ woeful defensive records.
This English Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolves will be played on Dec 22, 2024 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Leicester City vs Wolves prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
