Fourth-placed West Ham United aim to keep the momentum when they travel to a take on a struggling Leicester City side at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.
Leicester City will look away from what has been a difficult few games. Being knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest and losing their grip in the quest for European places, the Foxes find themselves in trouble ahead of a tough game against West Ham United.
Brendan Rodgers’ side seems to have lost much of their positive form since their capitulation against Tottenham in January. Since then, they have been winless in all competitions, managing only a draw to Brighton, losing to Nottingham Forest and then the midweek setback of the defeat to Liverpool.
Against Hammers, they face a tough opponent vying for a top-four finish. It may seem like the wrong time to meet the London side, as more misery could follow the Foxes heading into a crunch period of their season.
Amid all the controversy surrounding Kurt Zouma in midweek, Jarrod Bowen was the silent hero. He gave West Ham United all three points against relegation-threatened Watford at the London Stadium. While the Frenchman continues to grab headlines for his antics off the pitch, the Hammers will be looking to focus on their quest to finish fourth.
They currently sit in Champions League positions above Manchester United on goal difference. However, they have the lurking threat of Arsenal and Tottenham behind them, who have played at least two fewer games until now. The London rivals could prove to be their biggest threat as the season drifts into its business end.
David Moyes will have to carefully manage this squad which may have a shortage of quality in-depth, as more competitions come into the focus later this month. The Hammers also participate in their crucial Europa League knockout rounds while keeping up the pressure in the Premier League. For now, they should keep their eyes on three points against a struggling Leicester side.
Team News & Tactics
Leicester City
Rodgers could make tactical changes after an ineffective performance against Liverpool. Youri Tielemans, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho, who started on the bench in midweek, could start against the Hammers.
Brendan Rodgers is looking ahead to Sunday's match and the test to come against the Hammers in #LeiWhu ?
— Leicester City (@LCFC) February 12, 2022
Meanwhile, many names are missing from the Foxes squad, with Jamie Vardy, Wesley Fofana, Jonny Evans, Timothy Castagne and Ryan Bertrand absent with injury troubles. Nampalys Mendy is also a doubt after being granted extended time off after his AFCON success.
Rodgers could look to change his central defensive partnership with Caglar Soyuncu set to return in the side and partner Daniel Amartey at the heart of the defence. The manager could look to bench the likes of Boubakary Soumare, Ademola Lookman and Patson Daka after an ineffective performance against Liverpool.
Wilfred Ndidi, who started the midweek clash in central defence, could return in a midfield role. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be the one to start on the bench to accommodate Ndidi.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Schmeichel; Pereira, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas; Tielemans, Ndidi; Albrighton, Maddison, Barnes; Iheanacho
West Ham United
Starting with the headline-grabbing Zouma, Moyes confirmed the defender continues to be available for selection. These are indications of no further action on the Frenchman following his off-field antics.
Positivity
Focus
Preparation#LEIWHU ? pic.twitter.com/SAQvccuvSB— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 11, 2022
Moyes could field a very familiar side from recent months, as the team lacks the right quality in depth. Going with his usual 4-2-3-1 shape, the manager will keep his personnel in the attack, although Pablo Fornals could drop out for Manuel Lanzini.
Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna remain the only absentees from the squad, with the latter in rehabilitation with a long-term injury. Craig Dawson could be the preferred partner Zouma in the heart of the defence.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek should continue their partnership in central midfield, while Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma will slot in wide attacking roles. Michail Antonio remains the viable candidate to lead the Hammers’ line as they seek yet another victory.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1) – Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma; Antonio
Key Stats
- Leicester City have lost 3 of their last 4-matches in all competitions.
- Leicester City have yet to win a game at home in 2022.
- West Ham have scored 26-goals against the Foxes in 29-Premier League contests.
- West Ham have won their last 3-games against Leicester City in all competitions.
- In all competitions, West Ham scored at least 3-goals in their last 3-appearances against Leicester City.
Player to Watch
Jarrod Bowen
What a run this man is on! ?? pic.twitter.com/5hlyQFtlbr
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 12, 2022
The winger continues to inspire those around the London Stadium with his performances. He was crucial in midweek to securing three points when the team was struggling to break down the Watford defence. The attacker has had a good season personally, and his form will be crucial to West Ham’s chances of finishing in the top four.
While the likes of Antonio and Benrahma have been firing less in the last few weeks, Moyes must give Bowen the keys to their attacking style. Against Leicester, they have the perfect chance to exploit a team that has been struggling, and to do so, Bowen will be extremely important.
Prediction
Leicester City 1-2 West Ham United
There’s no doubting the quality of players in the Leicester City team, although their collective failure has cost them massive points in the last few weeks. The same issue ensured that Nottingham Forest beat them comprehensively, as Rodgers successfully surrendered the FA Cup.
The Foxes, still struggling to get to grips in recent weeks, will find it hard to break down this West Ham side, who are hungry for Champions League football next season. The Hammers are expected to win as they have the momentum and form to pile more pressure on Rodgers and his Leicester side.
