Verdict: Jarrod Bowen over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to secure consecutive Premier League victories on Thursday night, West Ham will welcome Leicester to the London Stadium.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a sensational performance away at title contenders Arsenal last weekend as they snatched a 1-0 victory in north London, West Ham will be looking to use that stellar display as a platform to build on. Although Graham Potter might have only arrived at the London Stadium last month, it appears that the Hammers are enjoying life under the former Chelsea boss. Almost finding themselves sat in Premier League limbo, West Ham should be smelling a golden opportunity to secure consecutive top-flight wins for the first time this season. Despite falling to a 3-1 loss when they traveled to Leicester for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 3rd, Potter’s new squad will be seeking some immediate revenge on Thursday night.
West Ham Team News
Suffering an ankle injury during a training session last week, West Ham will once again be without Brazilian ace Lucas Paqueta on Thursday night. Likewise, all still dealing with respective issues, the Hammers will once again be without the likes of Vladimir Coufal, Crysencio Summerville and former Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug.
Bagging the winner away at Arsenal on Saturday afternoon and notching a seventh Premier League goal of the season, skipper Jarrod Bowen will play a leading role here. Arriving from Brighton on a loan switch last month, Evan Ferguson could be handed a full West Ham debut.
Leicester City
As for the visitors, while Leicester might have made their Premier League return this season, the Foxes have an almighty battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status. Putting in another woeful display last weekend as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming at home against Brentford, the pressure on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s shoulders remains at a boiling point. Watching their FA Cup adventure come to an end earlier in the month as they were hit with a controversial 2-1 defeat away at Manchester United, Leicester have lost 11 of their previous 12 meetings against Premier League opposition across all competitions. Showing a string of defensive issues, it is no surprise why the Foxes are pencilled in as a leading relegation contender over the next few months.
Leicester City Team News
Not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, Portuguese defender Ricardo Pereira remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue. Likewise, Leicester will also travel to east London without James Justin and Australian international Harry Souttar on Thursday night.
With van Nistelrooy potentially looking to make a handful of changes, Brighton loanee Facundo Buonanotte could be handed a first Premier League start since January 15th. Despite notching just a single top-flight strike since the start of December, 28-year-old Jamie Vardy will lead the line.
West Ham vs Leicester City Key Factors to Consider
- When West Ham and Leicester met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 3rd, the Foxes collected a 3-1 victory at the King Power.
- In fact, Leicester have won each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 7-2.
- However, the Foxes have lost 11 of their previous 12 meetings against Premier League opposition across all competitions.
- A victory on Thursday night would be the first time this season that West Ham have recorded consecutive Premier League wins.
- England international Jarrod Bowen has produced 11 direct Premier League goal contributions this season.
Conclusion
Claiming what was a sensational 1-0 victory away at Arsenal last weekend, West Ham will now have their sights set on clinching consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season. With Leicester now losing 11 of their previous 12 meetings against top-flight opposition, Thursday’s guests find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. Blown away at home against Brentford last week as they slumped to a 4-0 drumming, van Nistelrooy’s struggling squad have continued to show some glaring defensive issues.
Verdict: Jarrod Bowen over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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