Wolverhampton Wanderers will take on Leicester City this weekend and both teams will look to muster a positive result after failing to win during the opening weekend.
Here, I look at three key player battles that could have a major impact on the outcome of the clash.
Raul Jimenez vs Harry Maguire
Raul Jimenez, the Mexican forward who moved to the Wolves this summer, hasn’t taken much time to settle in the Premier League. He scored his first goal by heading in a cross from Ruben Neves after making a clever run.
Jimenez is considered to be a menace inside the penalty box, as he looks to physically impose himself on the defenders before pouncing on loose balls or making his aerial presence felt. However, against Harry Maguire, he will face an equally strong player who can defend well and is dominant in the air.
Maguire gives a tough time to players, as he tends to use his physical demeanour and interception skills to good effect. However, one can expect Jimenez to trouble Maguire with his mobility, so it will be an interesting battle.
Jamie Vardy vs Conor Coady
Jamie Vardy’s playing style is quite different when compared to that of Raul Jimenez. Vardy is someone who is quick and athletic and always looks to run in behind the defenders using his pace.
Vardy is a decent dribbler, can carry the ball and links up well with the other forwards. Moreover, Vardy’s finishing is elite, as he sniffs and then pounces on an opportunity to notch a goal even from difficult angles.
Conor Coady, who will play at the heart of the Wolves defence, will have to judge Vardy’s movements and ensure that he intercepts and plays the ball out before the forward can get to the ball.
Ruben Neves vs Wilfried Ndidi
It isn’t difficult to decipher that Ruben Neves will be the creator-in-chief for Wolves, as his creative aspect of the game is well utilised in the current setup. Neves is someone who dictates the play from midfield, often picking out passes and using his impeccable range to pick out Raul Jimenez and the wingers.
He is also pretty tenacious with his pressing and is sort of an all-action midfielder. Neves will be up against an equally productive, resolute and energetic midfielder in Wilfried Ndidi who does the dirty work for Leicester at the centre of the park.
Ndidi will be tasked with neutralising Neves in the midfield and apply the pressure on the Portuguese so that he finds it harder to pick out his teammates.
