England Premier League
Sunday 13th February 2022
Kick off at 4:30pm GMT
Venue: King Power Stadium
Match Preview:
As the weeks go on it feels that Leicester’s season is getting worse and worse. This is a team that have enjoyed hope of a top 4 finish in recent seasons and been right in the mix. But the Foxes are a whopping 14 points from that position as they come into this game.
What is true is that Leicester have played just 21 games and some of their rivals have played 24 but even still it would feel like an achievement if Brendan Rodgers side made the top 10 this season. Coming into this game they are in 13th place with 26 points and have not tasted victory in the league since December 28th when they beat- of all teams- Liverpool. Since then it has been two defeats and a draw and they were embarrassingly dumped out of the FA Cup as holders of the competition when they lost 4-1 against Nottingham Forest.
The Foxes beat Liverpool in December but lost against them away from home last week and the club have lost 9 games now. A win here could see Rodgers side climb to 11th place.
West Ham edged out Watford 1-0 in midweek and that was a must win game for the Hammers. The dream is to finish in 4th place and with the way results have gone the club will be in 4th by the end of the weekend even if they lost this game. However the pressure is on because they have 3 teams chasing them in Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham. The Hammers have also played 2 games more than Arsenal and 3 more than Tottenham.
The victory over Watford was important because it ended a 2 game losing spell. Perhaps David Moyes side can take comfort from the fact that they have the 4th best away record in the league this season where they have won 50% of their games. However the club did lose their last away game which came against Manchester United.
Team News:
Leicester: Timothy Castagne is nearing a return but isn’t due back until next weekend. Jonny Evans could also make a comeback next weekend after his hamstring injury. Jamie Vardy is out for at least another two weeks with his hamstring and Ryan Bertrand is out long term with his knee injury. An update on Wesley Fofana who has missed the season so far with his pre-season leg injury suggests that the player could return at the beginning of March.
West Ham: The Hammers have no new injuries and just two long term absentees in Arthur Masuaku who is said to be making progress and Angelo Ogbonna.
Leicester vs West Ham Head to Head:
Last season West Ham won this fixture 3-0.
West Ham have won the last 3 meetings between the sides and in the reverse fixture this season beat the Foxes 4-1.
The last 6 meetings in a row all witnessed over 2.5 goals.
Leicester vs West Ham Prediction:
Leicester have been working on core strength lately and trying to outlast their opponents by coming on strong in the second half of games. It is a tactic that Rodgers has adapted to in the absence of his goalscorer Jamie Vardy. Time and again Leicester have played good football and been in control of certain aspects of the game only to end up as losers, and they will try out a different method against West Ham on Sunday.
The Hammers have had the better of the Foxes in recent games but this match remains a tricky one and the worry is Moyes’ side could underestimate a team who have lost some key personnel over the last few months.
Leicester are a very good price to win this game and for smaller stakes we will be backing them to do so. Their recent home form isn’t so bad with just 1 defeat in almost 3 months and even then that was a last gasp one against Tottenham where the Foxes were heading for all three points. Back Youri Tielemans to score for the home side and very good value odds. He might not be the first pick on your mind but he has scored some goals at home and is an excellent price.
Leicester vs West Ham Betting Tips:
Draw no bet (Leicester) at 2.10
Anytime goalscorer: Youri Tielemans at 4.00
Over 2.5 goals at 1.66
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