Leicester City return to Premier League action on Friday evening with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest, looking to continue their steady climb away from the relegation zone.
Steve Cooper’s side have found form recently, picking up six points from their last two league games, giving them a vital six-point cushion from the drop zone.
The Foxes now sit 14th in the table as they prepare for what promises to be a challenging encounter at the King Power Stadium.
Facundo Buonanotte is on the verge of joining an exclusive Premier League club against Forest. He’ll need to be at his best to help Leicester overcome a Forest side that has tasted defeat just once so far this season, making them tough opposition.
Abdul Fatawu, who made a significant impact off the bench during the comeback win over Southampton, is expected to earn a starting spot on Friday.
Leicester Face Tough Test from Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson:
Nottingham Forest, under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, have been playing some impressive football this season.
Despite four draws, they’ve only lost one league match, and veteran striker Chris Wood has already scored five Premier League goals. Leicester’s defence will need to be on high alert to keep the experienced forward quiet.
However, Forest’s biggest threat may come from the emerging talent of Elliot Anderson. The versatile midfielder has been in excellent form, earning comparisons with the likes of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
Anderson is one of just three players to create five or more chances and complete five-plus dribbles in a single Premier League match this season. He achieved this feat against Crystal Palace, where he created five chances and completed six dribbles.
Salah and Saka are the only other players to hit those numbers in a game this season, underlining Anderson’s growing influence.
How Leicester Can Stop Anderson:
Anderson has taken on multiple roles for Forest this season, featuring as a defensive midfielder, left-midfielder, and number 10. His standout performance against Crystal Palace came in the number 10 role, and Nuno is expected to deploy him there again.
To neutralise Anderson, Leicester’s sitting midfielders must stay sharp. Oliver Skipp and Bilal El Khannouss started in midfield against Southampton, but Cooper may tweak his setup after Harry Winks impressed off the bench in that match.
Winks could be key to breaking up Forest’s attacks and ensuring Anderson doesn’t dictate the game on Friday.
With Forest riding high on form and Leicester aiming to build momentum, this encounter promises to be a fascinating test for both sides.