Can Leicester give West Ham a leg up?
Leicester are not playing an outstanding season compared to their own expectations, the team fails too often and rarely brings its own potential on the pitch. The situation is completely different for West Ham, who are fighting for a place in the Champions League.
These signs ensure that the betting odds before the match Leicester against West Ham point to a role of favourites for the visitors. However, this is not too big, because Leicester is equipped with a lot of individual quality.
Leicester still have one eye on the bottom, losing 2-0 at Liverpool during the week after what was actually a solid game. The game against West Ham kicks off at 17:30 on Sunday.
Leicester – Statistics & current form
Events during the week saw Leicester City slip to twelfth in the Premier League table. The Foxes do not have big problems yet, but at the same time it does not look like a very good season. Again and again there are problems with injuries, and on top of that the performances are not exactly constant. It will now be important to gain a sense of achievement again in order to at least stay in the secure midfield.
Before the game Leicester vs. West Ham, the odds show that the visitors are the favourites. The two teams are separated by a few points and places in the table, but the Foxes can always be expected to play well. In the last four league games, however, there were only four points to celebrate, but in this phase Leicester also played twice against Liverpool and once against Manchester City.
One problem this season has been the defence. 39 goals conceded from 21 games is too many. Five times Leicester have conceded three or more goals and even though coach Brendan Rodgers kept adjusting the system, the problems were there regardless. The lack of consistency is also due to the many injuries that have plagued the team during the season. Currently, for example, top scorer Jamie Vardy is missing.
Leicester: At least the home record fits
At least Leicester City are achieving some normal form at home. Five of their seven wins have come at home, and with 1.55 points per game, their record is also relatively decent. The hosts also concede fewer goals at home than away and score more. That could be encouraging for the game against West Ham.
However, the statistics also put a damper on things, as Leicester have lost all of their last three league games against West Ham. They also conceded three goals in each of these games. This is where a turnaround is needed if Leicester want to move back into the single digits as quickly as possible.
At times this season, balance has been the problem for Leicester. There is always something going on in the offensive game, especially at home. That’s why, ahead of the Leicester vs West Ham game, our prediction is that both teams will score
Predicted Leicester line-up:
Schmeichel – Justin, Söyüncü, Amartey, Thomas – Soumaré, Ndidi, Maddison, Barnes, Ayoze – Daka
Last matches played by Leicester:
Premier League
02/10 2022 – Liverpool FC 2 – 0 Leicester
FA Cup
02/06 2022 – Nottingham Forest 4 – 1 Leicester
Premier League
01/23 2022 – Leicester 1 – 1 Brighton
01/19 2022 – Leicester 2 – 3 Tottenham
FA Cup
01/08 2022 – Leicester 4 – 1 Watford
West Ham – Statistics & current form
With 1-0 West Ham United won their home match against Watford FC during the week, Jarrod Bowen was the scorer. With this victory, David Moyes’ team can continue to dream of the Champions League, also because two of their competitors, Tottenham and Manchester United, have failed to score.
For long stretches of the season, West Ham were in the top four, and they are now, but their rivals all have fewer games under their belts and still have room to improve. On a positive note, West Ham have absolutely identical home and away records, with six wins and four defeats. Away from home, however, the team is a little more compact, conceding five goals less than at home.
West Ham have won three and lost two of their last five league games. There were no points against Manchester United and Leeds, but overall the team looks relatively stable, and was not impressed by the two setbacks.
West Ham must continue to improve defensively
In the last six games there was only one match, namely the last one against Watford, in which West Ham did not concede a goal. So the balance in the game is not working perfectly at the moment, which is a point that coach Moyes must have on his radar. Despite a good away record, West Ham have lost four of their last seven away games.
The game during the week should in any case ensure that the team goes into this game with confidence. Leicester, however, is again a different calibre than relegation candidate Watford. Therefore, before the match Leicester vs West Ham our tip is that both teams will meet.
Predicted West Ham line-up:
Fabianski – Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell – Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Bowen, Lanzini – Antonio
Last matches played by West Ham:
Premier League
02/08 2022 – West Ham 1 – 0 Watford
FA Cup
02/05 2022 – Kidderminster 1 – 2 West Ham
Premier League
01/22 2022 – Manchester United 1 – 0 West Ham
01/16 2022 – West Ham 2 – 3 Leeds
01/12 2022 – West Ham 2 – 0 Norwich
Leicester – West Ham Direct Comparison / H2H Record
After 138 direct duels, the comparison between the two teams is relatively even. West Ham have a narrow lead with 55 wins, Leicester currently stand at 50 won duels. 33 games ended in a draw. With 228:207 goals, the team from London is also just ahead in the number of goals scored.
Leicester – West Ham Tip
Leicester have quality but too rarely manage to put it on the pitch this season. That is a factor that must not be repeated in the game against West Ham if they are to upset the favourites
The visitors need the win to take the next important step in the fight for the Champions League. Due to the omens, our tip before the match Leicester vs West Ham is that both teams will score.
