Prediction: Leicester vs West Ham

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Getting a new era underway on Tuesday night, Leicester will welcome West Ham to the King Power.

Leicester

Starting with the hosts, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tenure at the King Power officially getting underway here, the Dutch tactician certainly has a real job on his hands. Watching on from the standings over the weekend as his new squad slumped to a routine 4-1 drumming away at Brentford, the Foxes are desperately seeking an immediate boost here. However, although the Blues might have only made their Premier League return this season, they face a real battle in the race to keep hold of their Premier League status. Heading into November’s international break with a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United, Leicester have now collected just a single point from any of their last five showdowns against top-flight opposition. Crashing out of the EFL Cup on October 30th following a frantic 5-2 loss at Old Trafford, Tuesday’s hosts have gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring defensive struggles.

Team News

Missing out away at Brentford over the weekend, former Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Likewise, in what looks set to be a huge blow for the Foxes, Leicester have confirmed that Ghana international Issahaku Fatawu faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Marking his return from suspension with a consolation strike in west London and already recording four Premier League goals, Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte will partner Jamie Vardy in the final third. Former Fulham star Bobby De Cordova-Reid could make a first start since October 30th in midweek.

West Ham

As for the visitors, while West Ham might have marked their return from November’s international break with an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Newcastle, the Hammers failed to collect another shock scalp over the weekend. Putting in a nightmare first-half performance at the London Stadium on Saturday evening as they fell to a 5-2 drumming against Arsenal, Julen Lopetegui’s side are drastically seeking some kind of stability. Still battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, the former Wolves boss has seen his squad win just a quartet of their first 13 top-flight appearances. Likewise, suffering a 2-1 defeat when they last travelled to the King Power back in May 2023, the Hammers hold a downbeat record against Tuesday’s hosts. In fact, West Ham have collected just a single point from any of their previous three Premier League showdowns against Leicester.

Team News

While summer recruit Niclas Fullkrug might be inching towards a first-team return, the former Borussia Dortmund striker is not expected to be part of West Ham’s squad here. However, after serving a five-match domestic suspension, attacking talisman Mohamed Kudus will feature for the first time since October 19th.

Recording six direct Premier League goal contributions so far this season, England international Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role in the final third. Finding the net in back-to-back appearances since returning from November’s international break, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will start at right-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Leicester and West Ham last met back in May 2023, the Foxes collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
• Leicester have collected seven points from their last three Premier League showdowns against Tuesday’s guests.
• West Ham have recorded just a single victory at the King Power since May 2018.
• Four of the last five meetings between Leicester and West Ham have finished with both teams finding the net.
• The last four Premier League meetings between Leicester and West Ham at the King Power have produced 15 goals.

Conclusion

With van Nistelrooy’s tenure officially getting underway on Tuesday night, Leicester will be desperate to claim an immediate boost. However, collecting just a single point from any of their last five Premier League appearances, the Foxes will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of action, neutrals will be hoping for a similar affair from the King Power. With four of the last five meetings between Leicester and West Ham finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet