Foxes Go To Wolves Den

Fans Match Preview – By Simon Mack

Friday 14^th February 8pm

Molineux

With love in the air (and James Maddison nursing a hangover?!) the foxes head across the midlands as the winter break comes to an end and it’s back to business in the Premier League.

The visit to wolves marks the return fixture in a match up that welcomed in the 19/20 campaign for both sides. Last time around the inexplicable decision making wonder system that is VAR denied wanderers a goal on what seemed a microscopic technicality that we have all become increasingly accustomed to since the calamitous system was introduced, but on balance both sides had their chances and whilst the game looked like it should have had a goal or two a point a piece seemed a fair reflection.

Since the opener the two clubs have gone on to have decent seasons so far with city overachieving in comparison to most of the summer expectations. For wolves just 2 points behind 6^th spot in the league and a continuing campaign in the UEFA Europa League to enjoy the season hasn’t been at all shabby either.

Wanderers have had quite a run of league matches to contend with leading into the winter break and their most recent tie afforded a trip to Old Trafford for the boys from the Black Country with a goalless draw the outcome. Prior to that a home tie against runaway league leaders Liverpool ended in a 2-1 defeat whilst the weekend before their trip to the south coast to face a resurgent saints saw them return as 3-2 victors after a superb second half comeback.

The pysio down at Molineux must had had time to read Steve Bull’s memoirs on more than one occasion lately as only 2 players have darkened his door. Full back Ruben Vinagre has a thigh injury that will keep him out for some time whilst wide man Adama Traore’s shoulder complaint is nearing repair and the Spaniard may well be in contention for selection when the lights are turned on and the foxes roll into town.

For city Brendan Rodgers seems to have spent more of the pre match media interviews defending James Maddison’s behaviour once again rather than speaking about the midlands clash. The young city international was photographed partying hard down in Dubai with foxes full back Ben Chilwell joining in festivities. Whilst Rodgers stance of ‘he’s young and single’ has some truth to it given the Leicester gaffer’s comments about his side “running on empty” you would have thought some encouragement for his players to rest up would have been the order of the day.

Coming into this one pre break the foxes played out an up and down see saw game against fellow top 4 contenders Chelsea at King Power Stadium. And whilst the criticism of Ben Chilwell may have been silenced temporarily by the England international’s goal both Barnes and centre back Jonny Evans had gilt edged chances to secure all 3 points and the city squad must have gone into their ‘rest’ regretful that they hadn’t taken the chance to further cement their Champions League ambitions.

New loan signing Ryan Bennett can’t warm the bench in this one as it’s against his parent club and midfielder Nampalys Mendy will be laid up on the treatment bench until March with a troublesome knee. The biggest blow for city will be the news that Wilfred Ndidi (who had seemingly recovered ahead of schedule from knee surgery) has now suffered a reaction to his knee op and will almost certainly be unavailable for the trip across the midlands. On a more positive note Wes Morgan’s migraine issues post Brentford are resolved and if the foxes boss desires it Matty James is available once again after an epic run of injury woes.

Given the lack of Ndidi and Mendy from Rodger’s options Hamza Choudhury seems certain to take the defensive midfield berth in the starting eleven in this moved for tv clash. With the foxes just 2 points behind an inconsistent Manchester City in 2^nd spot this early weekend fixture affords them the chance to apply some pressure on their top 3 rivals before storm Dennis takes hold.

You’d think the time afforded by the winter break should have healed the wounds from the painful semi-final exit at the hand of fellow West Midlands outfit Aston Villa, and as the 19/20 Premier League season turns the final bend into the home straight 3 points in this one would get their burst for the top four finishing line off to a cracking start.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible line up:

Patricio, Saiss, Coady, Boly, Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny, Traore, Jimenez, Jota

Leicester City possible line up:

Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Chilwell, Choudhury, Tielemans, Maddison, Perez, Barnes, Vardy

Last meeting… Watch below :