TEAM NEWS
Leicester will assess goalkeeper Mads Hermansen after he was subbed off at half-time with a groin injury during their defeat to Newcastle. Boubakary Soumare is back from suspension, while Harry Winks has returned to training and is available for selection. However, Wilfred Ndidi remains sidelined.
Wolves’ new boss Vitor Pereira is waiting on Matheus Cunha’s availability after the forward was charged with misconduct by the FA. Rayan Ait-Nouri is suspended following his red card after the Ipswich match. Joao Gomes is back from suspension, and Boubacar Traore, Pablo Sarabia and Jose Sa are close to full fitness.
VITOR PEREIRA'S PRESS CONFERENCE
Pereira was asked why he took the Wolves job: “Because it is the Premier League and in my opinion the Premier League is the best league in the world. Something that was my target for a long time. It means that I am in the right place with high-level players and managers. I am very happy to be here.”
He added Jose Sa is unavailable and he was unsure if Matheus Cunha will feature in Sunday’s game after he was charged by the Football Association with misconduct.
On if Nelson Semedo will remain captain: “Nelson is a very good boy, a good personality and now I am trying to understand where the leadership is on the pitch. It is important. It is not time to decide – it is time to study, to get information. After that we will decide the captain.”
On if he believes he can Wolves up given they are currently second bottom in the Premier League: “Of course, it is a responsibility but a good responsibility. Now is the time to give confidence to them, to guide them like a tactical GPS. To put them in the same direction, to connect them, to face with confidence and to play with courage.”
On the Leicester game: “I think every game in the Premier League is very important. A good result brings confidence and this is important for us at this moment. We come with an idea and a style to play – and the results will bring them confidence to believe in the idea.”
On plans for the January transfer window: “I think the club is open to do it but in this moment it is important with new ideas to understand the players on the pitch.”
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Head-to-head
- Leicester are unbeaten in all six of their Premier League home meetings against Wolves (W4, D2), conceding just one goal.
- Wolves’ only victory in their past 26 away games against the Foxes was 4-1 in the Championship in 2007.
Leicester City
- Leicester’s only win in their past eight Premier League matches was 3-1 at home against West Ham in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge (D2, L5).
- Their tally of 14 points after 16 games is the club’s lowest at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2014-15.
- The Foxes are unbeaten in all five of their league meetings against teams currently in the bottom seven (W2, D3).
- Van Nistelrooy is without a defeat in each of his last 19 home games as a manager, including spells at PSV, Manchester United and Leicester (W15, D4).
- They have conceded the opening goal in 12 of their 16 Premier League matches this season – a joint-high alongside Wolves. They have faced 74 shots across their three most recent league fixtures.
- However, the East Midlands side are one of just four teams to score in all of their home league matches so far this term, alongside Brentford, Fulham and Wolves.
- Conor Coady’s next league appearance will be the 400th of his career.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Wolves’ tally of nine points is their worst record after 16 games of a top-flight campaign since 1983-84.
- Their 21 Premier League defeats in 2024 is at least five more than any other club, and their most in a calendar year since losing 22 in 1978.
- The West Midlands side have conceded 40 league goals so far in 2024-25, more than any other team.
- They have shipped two or more goals in 13 of their 16 matches.
- Eleven of their past 15 league goals conceded have come from a set-piece.
- Matheus Cunha has been involved in 11 of his team’s 24 league goals scored so far this season, scoring eight and providing three assists.
- Wolves have scored just six goals in the 10 league matches Cunha has missed since joining the club, losing seven.
- Matt Doherty could make his 300th league appearance for Wolves.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Anthony Taylor. Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn. Fourth official: Anthony Backhouse. VAR: Michael Salisbury. Assistant VAR: Mat Wilkes.
MATCH INFO
This one is a 2pm kick off on Sunday 22nd December at the Kingpower Stadium.