Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points in Matchweek 38.
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Leicester City will need to deal with the threat of Harry Kane if their final-day push for a top-four spot is to prove successful.
To stand any chance of overtaking Liverpool or Chelsea, the Foxes must in all likelihood take three points at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
For this to happen, Wesley Fofana and Wilfred Ndidi will need to be on top of their game.
Both have enjoyed excellent campaigns and it is imperative they work together to dominate their duel with Kane, who is tied with Mohamed Salah on 22 goals in the race for the Golden Boot.
Natural ball-winner
Ndidi will be asked to stop the service into Spurs’ forwards and close down Kane’s space when he drops between the lines.
Over the course of the last four seasons Ndidi has been a remarkably consistent ball-winner for Leicester.
The 24-year-old is coming into his prime and is a tremendous asset for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Ndidi goal v Chelsea
No Premier League midfielder makes more interceptions per 90 minutes than Ndidi, who is also second only to Manchester City’s Rodri this season for the number of times he recovers possession.
Top ball-winning midfielders
| Interceptions per 90 | Recoveries per 90 | ||
| Ndidi | 2.58 | Rodri | 9.39 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kante | 2.48 | Ndidi | 9.35 |
| Brownhill | 2.28 | Henderson | 8.86 |
In their midweek 2-1 loss at Chelsea, Ndidi pressed brilliantly to create a turnover that led to Kelechi Iheanacho’s consolation goal.
And while he will look to replicate that ploy this Sunday, his primary responsibility will be to ensure Kane is starved of quality possession.
When Leicester won 2-0 at Spurs in December, Ndidi made a remarkable 18 ball recoveries. If he is to replicate that, his side could win again.
Fofana impressing
Fofana’s confidence should be sky-high on the back of his FA Cup final performance last weekend, when he made six interceptions, five clearances and four blocks at Wembley.
The 20-year-old has a big-match temperament and enough pace to track the runs of Kane, Son Heung-min or Gareth Bale at King Power Stadium. His top speed this season is 34.39 kilometres per hour.
This athleticism, coupled with the mindset to step in front of players and reclaim possession, has helped Fofana earn rave reviews during his debut season in English football.
Statistically he is already one of the most efficient ball-winning central defenders in the Premier League.
Top ball-winning central defenders
| Interceptions per 90 | Recoveries per 90 | ||
| Cooper | 2.53 | Fofana | 7.10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bednarek | 2.42 | Evans | 6.91 |
| Fofana | 2.41 | Dunk | 6.84 |
With both sides desperate to secure European football for next season, this match has the potential to be extremely exciting.
Between them, Fofana and Ndidi will do their utmost to ensure Leicester emerge victorious and cap off what will have been a very productive campaign.
Also in this series
Part 1: Werner's runs can help Chelsea to top-four finish
Part 3: Thiago's growing influence key to final top-four push
