West Ham United Vs. Leicester City Prediction: The Hammers Want To Break Defeat

JAKARTA - West Ham United will host Leicester City in the Premier League on Thursday night 27 February or Friday morning at London Stadium. The Hammers come with an important winning capital over Arsenal, while the Foxes are struggling to avoid relegation.

This match is also an opportunity for West Ham to avenge their defeat to Leicester in their previous meeting at the King Power Stadium in December 2024, where they fell with a score of 3-1.

West Ham United managed to end four winning games in the Premier League by winning a narrow 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday. Jarrod Bowen's single goal at the end of the first half was the decisive victory for Graham Potter's side.

This positive result is West Ham's second win under Graham Potter's tutelage, although it is not enough to lift them from 16th in the standings. However, they now have a 13-point gap in the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.

However, West Ham must be vigilant as they have suffered two consecutive defeats at home since being coached by Potter, namely against Crystal Palace (0-2) and Brentford (0-1). If they lose again, they will record two consecutive three defeats at home in the same season.

West Ham had an impressive record when they hosted the promotional team, winning eight of the last nine games at home against a team that had just risen to the Premier League. However, one defeat in their last 14 matches against a promotional team occurred against Leicester in the previous meeting.

On the other hand, Leicester City is in a difficult period under the tutelage of Ruud van Nistelrooy. Since winning his debut against West Ham, Leicester have lost 10 of their last 12 Premier League games, including six consecutive defeats at the King Power Stadium without scoring a goal.

The Foxes are currently in 19th place with a difference of five points from the safe zone. Last week's 0-4 defeat to Brentford exacerbated their situation in an effort to stay in the Premier League.

Leicester also had a poor away record, only collecting eight points from 12 away games and not once having recorded a clean sheet outside the home. They have conceded 32 goals, the highest number among all Premier League teams this season.

However, Leicester could be optimistic about facing this game as they won their last three meetings against West Ham, more than 10 previous meetings that only resulted in two wins.

West Ham still could not be strengthened by Lucas Paquet secretion (an ankle injury) and Vladimir Coufal (a hamstring injury), while Michail Antonio (leg injury), Cisencio Summerville, and Niclas Fullkrug (both hamstring injuries) were also absent.

Coach Graham Potter is likely to return to formation 4-2-3-1 after using a five-back system against Arsenal. Aaron Cresswell has the potential to be replaced by Emerson Palmieri in left-back position, while Oliver Scarles is likely to return to the bench.

On the front lines, Bowen and Mohamed Kudus will certainly start, with Evan Ferguson likely to appear as their first starter since joining West Ham in January. Carlos Soler can also be started, both in midfield and in the left sector of attack.

From the Leicester camp, Abdul Fatawu and Ricardo Pereira still had to be sidelined due to a knee injury and muscle injury. Meanwhile, James Justin (the ankle injury) will still be assessed for his fitness ahead of the match.

If Justin is not ready, Woyo Coulibaly will continue to fill the right-back position. Jannik Vestergaard also has the opportunity to return to the heart of the defense replacing Wout Faes or Caleb Okoli.

In attack, Bilal El Khannouss and Jamie Vardy, who scored against West Ham in the previous meeting, will most likely remain playing from the early minutes.iry Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte could start, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew likely to have to sit on the bench.

With a more stable performance and the advantage of playing at home, West Ham has a great chance of winning this match. However, Leicester, who is struggling to stay in the Premier League, will certainly not just give up.

West Ham United (4-2-3-1):Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Soler; Ferguson.

Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Coulibaly, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Soumare, Ndidi; Buonanotte, El Khannouss, Mavididi; Vardy.