Leicester City
The big one is finally here as Leicester City take on
The big one is finally here as Leicester City take on East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.
After spending a season apart from each other, the two rivals will face off at the King Power Stadium on Friday night, with both sides gunning for victory.
Leicester have won back-to-back games, most recently a 3-2 win at Southampton after turning around a two-goal deficit.
Forest also make the short trip over with a win under their belt, beating Crystal Palace on Monday night.
For Steve Cooper, it will be the first time he has come up against his former employers since being sacked in December 2023.
On what promises to be a close-fought encounter, the Foxes boss will need to look towards these three factors if they want to continue the recent good form.
Start Abdul Fatawu
Perhaps the biggest one of them all. It’s no coincidence that Leicester looked better when Abdul Fatawu came on in the second half on Saturday.
Fatawu was named man of the match against Southampton despite coming on in the 59th minute.
In that time, the Ghanian grabbed an assist, was involved in the build-up to Leicester’s penalty, and won the corner that would lead to the Foxes’ winner.
He has shown time and time again that he is ready for the challenge of the top flight and to play him with Stephy Mavididi, a combination that worked so well last season, is one that can scare a Forest defence lacking in pace.
Contain Chris Wood
Forest are the joint-fourth lowest goalscorers in the league, but that doesn’t mean the Foxes shouldn’t be wary.
Chris Wood is in fine form this season, scoring five of their eight and as a former Leicester striker, will be chomping at the bit to get one over them with his new side.
Wood is a tall, physical forward who will bring others into play, who then spread the ball out wide and look for the New Zealand international in the box.
| Team | Goals scored |
| Crystal Palace | 5 |
| Ipswich Town | 6 |
| Southampton | 6 |
| Manchester United | 7 |
| Newcastle United | 8 |
| Nottingham Forest | 8 |
He is more of a poacher but does love a physical battle. Wout Faes is well-versed in this and often thrives on old-school striker vs defence battles.
His partner Caleb Okoli is also more than good enough to deal with him physically and is faster than Wood so will be able to beat him to those 50/50 challenges.
Goals don’t seem to come from anywhere else in Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad so if Cooper can organise his defence to keep on top of the in-form forward, he will stand a much better chance of getting a win.
Don’t let the occasion get to him
Everyone associated with Leicester will be wanting to win this game more than anyone else, but for Cooper, there will be a sense of revenge.
Despite being Forest’s most successful manager in the 21st century, guiding the club back to the Premier League after a 23-year absence, Cooper was sacked.
The 48-year-old’s close affinity to them didn’t sit well with Foxes fans when he was first appointed, but he is trying to prove to supporters that his heart belongs with Leicester now.
He will want to prove that more than anything come Friday night, but what the Welshman can’t allow is emotions to get the better of him.
Don’t try any crazy tactics, a player out of position, tweak what has worked in the past two games. Stick to what he knows.
