They came from different places and contrasting seasons to reach this pivotal point. Brendan Rodgers has been one of the best Premier League managers over the past decade, with stable results and respectable league positions. His opponent, Steve Cooper, took Nottingham Forest up to the EPL from the depths of the EFL Championship. Now they go head to head for survival.The East Midlands rivals met earlier this year in the FA Cup. That day in February, Forest sensationally beat Leicester 4-1 and announced their high ambitions. The season ended in promotion, giving them at least two attempts to better the same rival this season. Introducing your choice for the 𝘽𝙀𝙎𝙏 moment of the 2021-22 #EmiratesFACup season…When @NFFC beat the 2020-21 holders @LCFC 4-1 to continue their magical cup run! ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZH5gXbobwj— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 6, 2022 In the wake of that defeat, Leicester boss Rodgers said that some of his players looked spent. His words seem eerily to the point from the current perspective.”There are players here who may have achieved everything they can. They’ve got to have a look at themselves in the mirror and fight like hell to prove they’re good enough to be here.”Seven months on, the Foxes find themselves bottom of the Premier League following six successive defeats.Rodgers still has the same issues to resolve – primarily Leicester’s defence. The 22 goals they have conceded is the most by any club in Premier League history at this stage of a season. The Leicester squad are, understandably, also showing signs of fragile confidence. Besides, their talisman goalscorer Jamie Vardy is yet to find the net this season. Leicester have only got one win this season – and that only came after a penalty shoot-out against third-tier opposition Stockport City in the Carabao Cup. It’s already October, and they’re still to get three points in a league match.Cooper’s Forest embarked on their first Premier League campaign in over two decades with a lot of optimism, which was boosted by a $178-million spending spree in which 23 new players joined the club. In the same period, 24 left. Six players who played more than 30 times for Forest last season have since left the club. You could forgive Nottingham fans if they don’t even recognize their team. They find themselves 19th in the standings, with only the Foxes above them. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6686238##While Cooper was undoubtedly grateful for the financial backing provided by the club’s eccentric owner Evangelos Marinakis, trying to shape all those players into a coherent team will take time – time that isn’t available. Marinakis changed six coaches since taking over the club five years ago. If Cooper doesn’t start delivering results quickly – he’ll be gone.For both teams and their respective managers, winning tonight is the only option at King Power Stadium.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 9SaturdayArsenal – Tottenham 3-1 (1-1)/Partey 20, Jesus 49, Xhaka 67 – Kane 31 pen/Bournemouth – Brentford 0-0Crystal Palace – Chelsea 1-2 (1-1)/Edouard 7 – Aubameyang 39, Gallagher 90/Fulham – Newcastle 1-4 (0-3)/Reid 88 – Wilson 11, Almiron 33, 57, Longstaff 43/Liverpool – Brighton 3-3 (1-2)/Firmino 34, 54, Webster 63 – Trossard 4, 18, 83/Southampton – Everton 1-2 (0-0)/Aribo 49 – Coady 52, McNeil 54/West Ham – Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)/Scamacca 29, Bowen 54/SundayManchester City – Manchester United 6-3 (4-0)/Foden 8, 44, 73, Haaland 34, 37, 64 – Antony 56, Martial 84, 90+1/Leeds United – Aston Villa 0-0Monday22:00: (1.89) Leicester (3.70) Nott.Forest (4.60)***odds are subject to change***
