Leicester City will host local rivals Nottingham Forest at the King Power Stadium on Friday night, looking to secure a third consecutive win in the Premier League.
Coming off a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Southampton, Steve Cooper’s side is starting to find form, while Nottingham Forest, sitting in eighth, also have momentum after defeating Crystal Palace earlier in the week. Both teams are hungry for a win, promising an intense East Midlands derby.
Leicester City Recent Form
Leicester’s early season struggles have been followed by a resurgence, winning their last two matches after a string of disappointing results.
Their dramatic 3-2 victory over Southampton, where they came from two goals down to win, showcased their newfound spirit and determination.
This fightback not only boosted morale but also saw them rise to 14th in the table. The Foxes are now aiming for a third consecutive win, hoping to continue their upward trajectory.
Nottingham Forest Recent Form
Nottingham Forest have been solid this season, with their defensive structure contributing to their impressive results. Forest’s recent 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, secured by Chris Wood’s late strike, lifted them to eighth in the table.
Unbeaten in their last six Premier League away games, Forest have been particularly hard to break down, with only Liverpool conceding fewer goals in this campaign.
Injury and Team News
Leicester City
Leicester will be without long-term absentees Patson Daka and Hamza Choudhury.
However, Steve Cooper may make some tactical changes, with Harry Winks pushing to replace Oliver Skipp in midfield, and Abdul Fatawu possibly getting a rare start after his impressive cameo last week. Jamie Vardy, with three goals this season, will continue to lead the attack.
Nottingham Forest
Forest will be missing Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo through injury, but Morgan Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse are back from suspension, providing a major boost to their midfield.
Chris Wood, fresh from scoring his fifth league goal, will spearhead the attack again, with the versatile Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga supporting him from the wings.
Last Leicester City Lineup
Here is how Leicester City lined up for their last match:
Last Nottingham Forest Lineup
Here is how Nottingham Forest lined up for their last match:
Leicester City Player to Watch
Jamie Vardy remains Leicester’s talisman, and despite his age, he continues to deliver. Vardy has netted three Premier League goals this season and boasts the best conversion rate of any player with over 300 shots in the league (22.1%). His pace and clinical finishing make him a constant threat.
Nottingham Forest Player to Watch
Chris Wood has been pivotal for Nottingham Forest, with five Premier League goals already this season. His ability to hold up play and convert chances under pressure has been crucial in Forest’s away success. Expect him to play a key role again against Leicester.
Leicester City vs Nottingham Forest – Referee and VAR
Here are the confirmed on-field referees and VAR officials for the game:
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Darren Bond.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
Prediction
Given the form both teams are in, this fixture promises to be a closely contested affair. Leicester’s newfound confidence in attack may be tested against Nottingham Forest’s strong defensive record. However, with both sides finding the net consistently, a high-scoring draw seems likely.
Our Prediction: Leicester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Betting Tips
Tip 1: Both Teams to Score
Both Leicester and Forest have been scoring consistently, and with Leicester’s leaky defence, expect both sides to find the net.
Tip 2: Over 2.5 Goals
There have been at least four goals in each of Leicester’s home games against Forest, and with both teams in attacking form, this trend could continue.
Tip 3: Chris Wood to Score Anytime
Chris Wood has been on fire for Forest and with Leicester’s defence prone to lapses, he’s a good bet to add to his goal tally.
