Key events
Van Nistelrooy watched on from the stands in November as Leicester surrendered a 1-0 lead at the Gtech Community Stadium and ended up thumped 4-1. The scale of the job facing the Dutchman would have been crystal clear from that day onwards.
Since the four points Leicester accrued in RvN’s first two games following that visit to the Bees, they’ve lost 10 out of 12 games. Eesh.
An email agreeing with me? Yes! It’s from Jeremy Boyce:
As you say, bit of a bonkers match to predict. Can’t win at home v Can’t win away. 0-0 then? Or maybe not, given the way Ruud’s boys ship goals, as well as having a redoubtable and brilliant former carpet-fitter still banging them in when they can give him the ball. I’m betting on an Mbeumo/Wissa inside 2 mins, a late Vardy shouldered equaliser in added time, and lots of huff’n’puff without purpose in between. Should I get down the bookies’ now? Obviously we do not condone gambling and would never put THAT on our shirts. Would we?
Am I naive in predicting that this game will perhaps not the foregone conclusion the form-book suggests? Leicester really need this; like really need this. Brentford aren’t quite on the proverbial beach as yet, but they seem safely ensconced in mid-table and probably won’t trouble the European places.
Van Nistelrooy has looked a little lost in the King Power dugout since replacing Steve Cooper, but if he can’t fire up his troops for a game like tonight’s, he’s in the wrong job.
Some things to read:
Not a record you’d want to have. Not even Amorim’s Manchester United are threatening this one.
❌ 0-3 vs. Wolves
❌ 0-2 vs. Manchester City
❌ 0-2 vs. Crystal Palace
❌ 0-2 vs. Fulham
❌ 0-2 vs. Arsenal
❓ X-X vs. BrentfordLeicester City could become the first side ever to lose six home games in a row without scoring in an English top flight season when they face… pic.twitter.com/CePz1fkJJN
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) February 21, 2025
Team news
Leicester: Hermansen; Coulibaly, Okoli, Faes, Kristiansen; Soumaré, Ndidi; Ayew, El Khannous, Decordova-Reid; Vardy.
Subs: Stolarczyk, Coady, Winks, Mavididi, Daka, Skipp, Vestergaard, Thomas, Buonanotte.
Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Nørgaard; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa.
Subs: Valdimarsson, Carvalho, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Emre Konak, Maghoma, Kayode, Kim, Morgan.
Preamble
It feels like now or never for Leicester City. Ruud van Nistelrooy has struggled to get a tune from the Foxes since swapping Old Trafford for the King Power Stadium in November, and if tonight’s game ends in another loss – a potential 11th defeat in 13 in all competitions – surely survival will be a step too far.
Everyone knows Brentford aren’t quite the same prospect away from home as they are at home, although the Bees have won their past three on the road at Southampton, Crystal Palace and West Ham. Van Nistelrooy will need the full support of the King Power crowd, something he hasn’t always been able to count on in recent weeks. You suspect he’ll need the experience and goals of Jamie Vardy, too. Three points would be enough to lift Leicester above Wolves and out of the bottom three, for a few hours at the very least.
Stick around for all the latest updates under the Friday night lights. Kick off is at 8pm GMT.
