Leicester vs West Ham Preview
- Draw or Leicester win
- Over 2.5 goals
Leicester City and West Ham United meet at the King Power Stadium in a pivotal clash for both teams.
With new Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy set for his first game in charge, and West Ham looking to rebound from a heavy defeat, the stakes are high for these struggling sides.
Leicester City: A New Dawn Under Van Nistelrooy
Leicester’s season hit another low last weekend as they were thrashed 4-1 by Brentford under caretaker manager Ben Dawson. Now, with Ruud van Nistelrooy at the helm, the Foxes will hope to arrest their slide and begin climbing out of the relegation zone.
Van Nistelrooy inherits a team in poor form, with just one point from their last five Premier League matches (D1, L4). Leicester’s total points haul is currently worse than during their last relegation season, highlighting the scale of the challenge ahead.
At home, Leicester have shown glimpses of promise, scoring in every home league game this season, but they’ve won just one match at the King Power (W1, D2, L3).
Facundo Buonanotte could be key to Leicester’s fortunes; the midfielder opened the scoring against Brentford last weekend, taking his league tally to four goals, and will aim to make a decisive impact again.
West Ham United: Consistency Eludes the Hammers
West Ham’s 5-2 loss to Arsenal last weekend further underscored their struggles this season. Despite showing flashes of quality, Julen Lopetegui’s side has managed just one win from their last four league games (W1, D1, L2).
Their current points tally is lower than at this stage in three of the last four campaigns, increasing pressure on the Spanish manager.
The Hammers will take some encouragement from their recent 3-1 victory at Newcastle, and a win here would mark their first consecutive away league victories since late 2023.
However, their record at the King Power Stadium is mixed, with West Ham conceding an average of two goals per game in their last four visits (W1, D1, L2).
Full-back Emerson has been a bright spot, contributing to goals in his last two matches (G1, A1). He’ll look to build on that form, though his personal record against Leicester (D1, L1) leaves room for improvement.
Key Battles
Facundo Buonanotte vs West Ham’s Midfield
Buonanotte’s creativity and ability to pop up with crucial goals make him a threat that West Ham’s midfield must neutralize. Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will need to dominate the center of the park to stifle Leicester’s primary playmaker.
Emerson vs Leicester’s Defense
Emerson’s recent goal contributions highlight his attacking threat from the left flank. Leicester’s full-backs will need to remain disciplined to prevent him from causing havoc in wide areas.
Tactical Analysis
Leicester are likely to adopt an aggressive approach under Van Nistelrooy, focusing on pressing high and creating opportunities through quick transitions. Their inability to keep clean sheets at home may force them to rely on outscoring their opponents.
West Ham, meanwhile, will aim to strike a balance between defensive solidity and attacking efficiency.
Lopetegui’s side may look to exploit Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities with crosses into the box and quick counterattacks, utilizing the pace of Jarrod Bowen and the physicality of Michail Antonio.
Prediction: Leicester City 2-2 West Ham United
With both teams desperate for points and defensively suspect, this match could end in an entertaining draw. Leicester’s attacking intent under Van Nistelrooy might spark a resurgence, but West Ham’s quality in transition could exploit the Foxes’ defensive lapses.
Expect Buonanotte to shine for Leicester, while Emerson and Bowen could be key contributors for West Ham in an evenly matched contest. A point apiece may not fully satisfy either side but would reflect the balance of play.
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Leicester v West Ham, 2024/25 | Premier League