Leicestershire

When it comes to Premier League form, both Tottenham and Leicester are in the bottom three. The Foxes have lost seven consecutive league games, while Spurs are without a win in six.

With both teams in desperate need of three points, it sets up for an intriguing battle at Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Sunday.

While the two sides go head-to-head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head-to-head off it.

Each got to ask three questions of the other. Tottenham fan Anna Howells from Spurs XY, external was asked the following by our Leicester supporter:

• What has been the key reason for Spurs' inconsistency this season?

• Do you think Ange Postecoglou should stay or go?

• What is your Achilles heel? Where are most teams having the most success against you?

Leicester fan contributor Kate Blakemore from Leicester Till I Die, external was given the following questions:

• I am sure many Tottenham fans would like to know how the moves to Leicester have worked out for Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp?

• Are Leicester fans still happy with the appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy?

• Apart from getting some wins (relatable for Spurs fans), what are the key issues that need to be solved if Leicester are to avoid relegation?

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It felt like Ruud Van Nistelrooy went out of his way to emphasise the unity at Leicester during his news conference on Friday.

That he was making the point and repeatedly using the phrase was even highlighted to the Foxes boss by the media.

Perhaps he lent on it too much but the message was clear: he needs his players to be behind him and each other to survive.

Van Nistelrooy said: "The relationship with players and managers and coaches is one of development, improvement and praise. Things which are done well are addressed, things which can be improved are addressed.

"We are united as a unit - as a squad and staff. I'm very motivated to change this situation. It's the only way to get out of a difficult situation. When you are in adversity, it's about unity, hard work and rolling up your sleeves."

There have been suggestions of heated discussions with players but what manager would not have them after seven straight defeats?

Van Nistelrooy has been in charge for just 56 days and he is already fielding questions about his position and whether there are fractures in the squad as his side sit second bottom in the Premier League.

That is no surprise amid their current form and they will equal a club record run of losses if they fall to an eighth straight defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.

Ultimately, Van Nistelrooy's words and calls for unity will be useless unless his side start to win.

Image source, Getty Images

There have been 130 goals in 35 Premier League meetings between Tottenham and Leicester, the highest goals-per-game ratio of any fixture to have been played at least 30 times (3.71).

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Tottenham (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On the club's transfer situation Van Nistelrooy said: "We are looking at options within the possibility to strengthen the squad, and also this deal with Tom [Cannon] is part of that situation. So we are addressing that, and are looking at players to strengthen the team within the possibilities that are there at the moment."

• On Leicester bad form he said: "We know where we are in the league but for the remaining games it's about getting out of this situation. Sunday is a new game where we can start fighting to get out of this period. This is when you need character, togetherness and unity. We are that."

• Asked about his own job security the Dutchman offered: "I'm focused on getting this team out of the situation, that's my only concern."

• He called for his side to "roll-up their sleeves".

• New signing Wayo Coulibaly could play a part against Tottenham after "a very good start to the week".

• He is hopeful that midfielder Wilfred Ndidi can be involved in team training next week but he will miss out on the upcoming game.

• Winger Abdul Fatawu is making "very good" progress but his manager added: "The steps he has to make, he's making them. But we also know the length of the injury, it isn't in the short term."

• Injured goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is "making good steps but needs to make further steps to be involved in team training and playing games".

Follow all of Leicester City's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Former Leicester City goalkeeper Mike Stowell told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast that clubs hold each other to "ransom" in the January transfer window.

" I always think that the January transfer window is the last-gasp saloon window for many clubs," Stowell said.

"You're always held to ransom because if you go after players, everybody knows that you're desperate. They are not going to give you their better players, they want to keep their good players for the push. They are going to give you players you don't want, or you're selling average players for more money because teams are desperate for new recruits."

Stowell also believes that the window is "only good" if you're a team "fighting for the title" or if you have "some money" and "want to recruit some extra firepower or quality".

"At the other end of the table, I'm afraid it rarely ever works," he added.

"I don't want to be all doom and gloom but Leicester City two years ago brought in Victor Kristiansen, Harry Souttar and Tete. We went to Aston Villa thinking we solved the problem with three new signings, and we know how that went."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Serie A club Lecce are among the clubs to have enquired about signing Leicester City winger Laolu Omobolaji.

The Foxes are believed to be keen on tying down the 17-year-old, who is a regular for the under-18s, to a new deal.

Omobolaji joined Leicester in February last year. He is eligible to play for both England and Nigeria through his parents.

This Premier League pursuit becomes a lot easier if you take your chances.

BBC Sport has checked in on some data comparing goals versus expected goals this season.

You can see from the bar graph some teams aren't finding the goals (yellow) to outstrip the expected goals they should score (black).

Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal, Brentford, Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Leicester have all scored more than expected.

Wolves in particular have found the net 32 times from an expected 23.56 - a significant overperformance.

League leaders Liverpool are pretty much bang on in returning what they should, while Arsenal have outperformed, with 43 goals from an expected 37.78.

Bournemouth - 36 goals from an expected 43 - are leaving opportunities on the table.

Former Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton tells The Football News Show how senior players like Jamie Vardy and Conor Coady will be leading the inquest into their recent run of poor form in the Premier League.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

I thought Leicester were harsh in getting rid of Steve Cooper, but the fans turned against him and we know what comes next when that happens.

But he had Premier League experience and knew how to fight at the bottom of the table. That is important when you need results.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has not been in that position in any of the clubs he's been involved with previously, so it is a big job for him now at Leicester. I do not think he knew the task at hand.

The promoted clubs from the Championship are usually down at the bottom and fighting to sty up. Many people believed at the beginning of the season that the three who came up would also go back down.

Having a manager who has the knowhow of staying in the Premier League is something money cannot buy and Cooper had that after his time at Nottingham Forest.

But I also think the Leicester squad is not good enough to compete in the way he might want them too at this level.

They are still reliant on Jamie Vardy, who of course has been a fantastic finisher and servant over the years. However, to rely on him now in every game does mean they are in a bit of trouble.

Stephy Mavididi has been their only bright spark of the season, but if you look around that is it.

I think Van Nistelrooy is going to find it difficult to keep them up, but then any manager who had gone in at this point probably would have as well.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford