3 Things to look out for in Leicester vs Forest

Nottingham Forest’s defence

For all the talk of Steve Cooper’s side bringing in over 20 reinforcements, the Reds still lined up for their last Premier League outing against Fulham with a very ordinary back three. Steve Cook and Scott Mckenna, who have both conceded silly handball penalties already this year, were alongside loan man Willy Boly, forming a trio that doesn’t exactly instil fear into any top flight attackers.

Without the ball, Forest will sink into a back five, with Neco Williams and Renan Lodi dropping back from the wide areas, the latter of which was patently talented enough to play in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid last season. Being trusted to perform in a Diego Simeone rearguard requires some serious discipline and professionalism, and the Brazilian is more than capable of contributing in an offensive sense.

Loic Bade, who was reportedly a Leicester target before they turned their attention to Wout Faes, is now a Forest player, and he could be in line for a first Premier League start, especially given that the side he joined has conceded 12 goals in its last three outings. This is the first of three all-Midlands fixtures for Steve Cooper’s side, and establishing a settled formation, starting from the back, could be key to success ahead of this crucial period.