MX23RW : Saturday, February 22 01:01:13| >> :600:667593:667593:
Feb 14, 2020 at 8pm UK at ​Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 31,682
WolvesWolverhampton Wanderers
0-0
LeicesterLeicester City
FT

Choudhury (76')

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Leicester City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Friday's Premier League encounter between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City.

Leicester City make the short trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers looking for the victory which would take the club into second place in the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Wolves play host to the Foxes with the opportunity to move into sixth position, despite a run of just one top-flight win in half-a-dozen matches.


Match preview

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 8, 2019© Reuters

Brendan Rodgers would have expected to return after the winter break with Leicester cut adrift of second-placed Manchester City, but the postponement of their fixture with West Ham United at the weekend has provided the Foxes with a chance to apply some pressure to Pep Guardiola's side.

While the aim is to guarantee a top-four spot as soon as possible, Rodgers will want to remain in close proximity with City, viewing it as a sign that his developing squad are not settling for being among the top clubs in the division.

With Leicester having had the chance to get over the disappointment of missing out on the EFL Cup final, they will now be fully focused on the top flight with a home clash with City following the visit to Wolves.

Rodgers is aware that negative results in each of those fixtures would lead to pressure from the chasing pack, although this Leicester side have shown over the past few months that they are capable of finding an extra gear.

Having kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 outings against top-tier opposition, Rodgers will hope that the extra time on the training ground will help improve that side of their game, one which separated them from many of their rivals during the opening three months of the season.

After a run of one success from eight games in all competitions, Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo also finds himself hoping that the brief respite from an exhausting schedule can prove to be the difference over the next three months.

Despite Wolves having been provided with a testing fixture list since the Christmas period, Nuno will not be satisfied with his team's results, upping the stakes against opponents who he will feel are on a similar level to his own side.

As it stands, one victory could prove crucial in the race for European qualification next season, while this meeting with the East Midlands outfit represents Wolves' last showdown with the top three for the season.

That factor should be taken into account when assessing why Wolves have recently dropped down to ninth place in the standings, although that will never be an excuse used by Nuno given the quality at his disposal.

Over normal time, Wolves are unbeaten in their last four home matches against Leicester, something which they will want to maintain at the start of a pivotal few weeks in their season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League form: LLDWLD
Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): DDLWLD

Leicester City Premier League form: WWLLWD
Leicester City form (all competitions): LLWWLD


Team News

Ryan Bennett in action for Wolves on September 19, 2019© Reuters

Having left Wolves for Leicester on loan during the January window, Ryan Bennett is ineligible to face his parent club on Friday night.

Rodgers is hoping to have Wilfred Ndidi available after a knee injury, but Nampalys Mendy will play no part due to sustaining a similar issue to his teammate.

With Youri Tielemans expected to feature in the centre of midfield, Rodgers could be left with a straight choice between Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes on the right flank.

As for Wolves, Nuno is hopeful that Adama Traore will have fully recovered from a knock and a shoulder injury sustained at Manchester United on February 1.

Providing that he is passed fit, Nuno is likely to name the same starting lineup, leaving Daniel Podence to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Saiss, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Jota

Leicester City possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Pereira, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell; Ndidi, Praet, Tielemans; Perez, Maddison, Vardy


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We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Leicester City

With both clubs having enjoyed a much-deserved rest, we are expecting a hard-fought encounter at Molineux. While Leicester are the marginal favourites, Wolves have the quality to earn a share of the spoils.


body check tags ::

Who will win Friday's Premier League clash between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City?

Wolverhampton Wanderers
Draw
Leicester City
Wolverhampton Wanderers
37.8%
Draw
30.0%
Leicester City
32.2%
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Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on December 8, 2019
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool26251061154676
2Manchester CityMan City26173667293854
3Leicester CityLeicester26155654262850
4Chelsea2612594336741
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs2611784334940
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2610972824439
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd2610883829938
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2681263532336
9Everton26106103438-436
10Arsenal2671363634234
11Burnley26104123039-934
12Southampton2694133248-1631
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2687112440-1631
14Crystal Palace2679102332-930
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2669113138-727
16Bournemouth2675142640-1426
17Aston Villa2674153450-1625
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham2666143045-1524
19Watford2659122440-1624
20Norwich CityNorwich2646162448-2418

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