It is back! Foxes welcome Wolves to the King Power
Leicester City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers at what is set to be a packed out the King Power Stadium, rallying behind the Foxes as they bid to finish in the top six for a third consecutive season. Bruno Lage will lock horns with Brendan Rodgers in his first match in a Premier League dugout, his Wolves come in as outsiders despite Leicester’s defensive injury issues as they look to transition to a more attacking style of play than under Nuno Espirito Santo. Both clubs have made some shrewd additions in the transfer market, it will be interesting to see which team can gel the quickest on Saturday.
Background
Leicester’s transfer policy that has worked to great effect in recent years has landed Patson Daka and Boubakary Soumare at the King Power, both arriving with rave reviews on the continent. Daka provides competition for places up front with Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy and arrives from talent farm RB Salzburg.
While Soumare has come over from Ligue 1 champions Lille, the classy central midfielder has a tough task of breaking into the Foxes’ midfield with Youri Tielemans, Wilfried Ndidi, James Maddison and ever improving Hamza Choudhury establishing stiff competition in the centre of the park.
Premier League stalwart Ryan Bertrand has also been picked by Leicester, the experienced left back provides good cover with Rodgers’ men looking to make a run in the Europa League this season. Last season’s fifth placed side were very impressive beating Manchester City to the Community Shield on Saturday, even with the injuries that result should breed confidence through the side and with newly restored home advantage they are rightfully strong favourites for this matchup.
Francisco Trincao is probably the headline arrival at Molineux, joining from cost cutting Barcelona the Portuguese 21-year-old has bags of ability and will thrive in the Premier League spotlight. Wolves also have a significant number of players out injured in attacking areas with Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence expected to miss the match, heaping more weight on the shoulders of Raul Jimenez who is fit and raring to go after a frustrating 2020/21 on the sidelines.
The atmosphere will be electric and that could be the difference, Leicester have the leadership all over the pitch and energy from the stands to put in a strong opening display. It is a brutal baptism into Premier League football for Bruno Lage, it will be interesting to see his tactics for the first time.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Jamie Vardy with the game’s only goal. 1-0.