Leicester City kick off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign at home to Wolves at King Power Stadium in a Midlands derby.
Having missed out on a top four finish on the final day in each of last two seasons, Leicester will be looking to start this season on a high, whereas Wolves begin competitive life under Bruno Lage following Nuno Espirito Santo’s exit.
Team News
Leicester could welcome Timothy Castagne back after the fullback sat out their Community Shield victory, due to the late arrival of a protective mask after suffering a double eye-socket fracture at Euro 2020 for Belgium.
Nampalys Mendy (groin), Jonny Evans (ankle), James Justin (knee) and Wesley Fofana (knee) remain ruled out.
Wolves could be without Daniel Podence after the winger required groin surgery towards end of last season, which has prevented him from participating fully in pre-season as he continued his recovery.
Willy Boly, Yerson Mosquera, Hugo Bueno, Owen Otasowie (all hamstring), Jonny and Pedro Neto (both knee) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Leicester have lost just one of their last five league meetings against Wolves (W1, D3, L1).
- Wolves are winless in their last five visits to King Power Stadium (D2, L3).
- Brendan Rogers’ Foxes met Wolves here on the opening weekend of 2019-20 season, as both teams contested a goalless draw.
- Leicester have lost three of their last five season-opening league fixtures (W1, D1, L3), despite scoring in four of those five matches.
- Wolves are unbeaten in their last eight opening league matches of a new season (W4, D4).
Prediction
Having dug deep to snatch a deserved victory at the Community Shield over Manchester City last weekend, Leicester can come into this high on confidence after delivering a gutsy performance in which they were excellent in attack but just as tough to break down defensively.
Wolves meanwhile just seem stuck in an injury crisis which is a huge worry although Raul Jimenez’s return will give them a lift, yet their defensive issues will be a real issue against a quality team like Leicester who will certainly look to cause them serious issues with their pressing style.
On that note, I really do hope that this is a competitive game but Leicester look like they will just have too much for Wolves across 90 minutes at present.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-0 Wolves
Result: Leicester City 1-0 Wolves