West Ham vs. Leicester Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
Get set for an intriguing clash as West Ham United host Leicester City at the London Stadium in a Premier League matchup. Taking place on 27 February 2025, kicking off at 20:00, this fixture pits two teams striving to steer clear of relegation. The match sees Stuart Attwell officiating, with West Ham currently sitting in 16th place on 30 points, while Leicester languishes in 19th with just 17 points.
West Ham comes into this fixture on the back of a confidence-boosting 1-0 win against Arsenal. Graham Potter’s men will aim to build on that momentum despite their inconsistent form (WLLDL). Leicester, under Ruud van Nistelrooy, has struggled significantly, highlighted by a recent 0-4 hammering by Brentford. They’re desperate to turn the tide, having lost four of their last five games (LLLLW).
Key injuries on both sides could impact the match significantly. West Ham is favored by bookmakers at odds of 1.62 to win. Given Leicester’s frailties both in defense and on the road, it’s advised to back West Ham to dominate the match.
West Ham vs Leicester Match Preview
Match Details
- Fixture: West Ham United vs Leicester City
- Date: [Add Date Here]
- Venue: London Stadium, London
Preview
West Ham United and Leicester City square off in what promises to be a captivating encounter at the London Stadium. Both teams are navigating through a challenging phase in the season, which makes this match pivotal for their respective campaigns.
Recent Form
West Ham:
The Hammers have had a bumpy ride recently, recording 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their last five Premier League outings. However, that recent win, especially against a formidable Arsenal side, could serve as a significant morale booster. David Moyes’ men will be keen to build on this momentum and capitalize on their home advantage.
Leicester:
The Foxes have been struggling significantly, managing just 1 win while enduring 4 losses in their last five matches. Their defensive vulnerabilities have been glaring, with an average of 2.2 goals conceded per match this season – a statistic that surely keeps Brendan Rodgers up at night. Leicester will need to tighten up at the back to stand a chance against an emboldened West Ham side.
Key Players
West Ham:
- Michail Antonio: Always a threat up front, his physical presence and knack for crucial goals can turn the tide in West Ham’s favour.
- Declan Rice: The midfield dynamo is pivotal in both breaking up opposition play and initiating attacks.
Leicester:
- Jamie Vardy: Though not as prolific this season, Vardy’s experience and poaching instincts make him a constant threat.
- Youri Tielemans: Known for his vision and passing ability, Tielemans will be crucial in orchestrating Leicester’s play from midfield.
Betting Tip & Prediction
| West Ham vs Leicester Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| West Ham to win | 1.68 |
Reasoning:
- Form and Momentum: West Ham’s recent win against Arsenal has given them a much-needed confidence boost.
- Defensive Struggles: Leicester’s defensive woes make them vulnerable, particularly away from home.
- Home Advantage: Playing at the London Stadium gives West Ham an edge that shouldn’t be underestimated.
- Motivation: West Ham will be motivated to climb up the table, and a win against Leicester is crucial for this aim.
Given these factors, backing West Ham to win seems like a solid bet. Leicester’s ongoing struggles, combined with West Ham’s recent uptick in form, tip the scales in favour of the home side.
West Ham Team Analysis
West Ham Recent Performance
West Ham has had an inconsistent run of form in their last five games, managing just one win against Arsenal, a draw, and three losses. Here’s a closer look at their recent match outcomes:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | West Ham | 0-1 (Win) |
| West Ham | Brentford | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Chelsea | West Ham | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Aston Villa | West Ham | 1-1 (Draw) |
| West Ham | Crystal Palace | 0-2 (Loss) |
Despite their struggles, their recent 1-0 victory against Arsenal, with a goal by Jarrod Bowen, has given a significant morale boost to the Hammers. However, West Ham has only kept one clean sheet in their last five games, and they’ve only managed an average of 0.6 goals per match during this period. This suggests a need for better offensive performance as they look to secure crucial points against Leicester.
West Ham Key Players
West Ham’s key players in this match could make a crucial difference. Jarrod Bowen, the team’s top scorer with 7 goals this season, has been the standout attacker. His goal in the recent 1-0 victory against Arsenal underscores his importance.
In the midfield, James Ward-Prowse’s creativity and Edson Álvarez’s solidity will be vital. Ward-Prowse’s set-piece abilities could be a significant weapon against a struggling Leicester defense.
Defensively, the trio of Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, and Aaron Cresswell will need to stay solid to counteract Jamie Vardy’s sharpness.
Expected lineup for West Ham:
- Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
- Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, Aaron Cresswell, Oliver Scarles
- Midfielders: Tomas Soucek, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Álvarez
- Attackers: Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus
Watch out for Bowen vs Faes, a key battle that could influence the game’s outcome.
West Ham Suspensions & Injuries
West Ham has a few notable injury concerns ahead of their match against Leicester:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Michail Antonio | Broken leg | Early May 2025 |
| Niclas Füllkrug | Hamstring injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Crysencio Summerville | Hamstring injury | Early April 2025 |
| Vladimir Coufal | Hamstring injury | Doubtful |
| Lucas Paquetá | Ankle injury | Early March 2025 |
These injuries, particularly in attacking positions, could limit West Ham’s depth and flexibility. Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug’s absences are particularly significant, as they reduce Graham Potter’s options upfront. Lucas Paquetá’s imminent return could add some much-needed creativity in midfield, but his absence will be felt against Leicester.
Without key players, West Ham will need to rely heavily on their available squad members to secure a crucial win.
West Ham Tactics and Formation
West Ham Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 5-3-2
- Key Forward: Jarrod Bowen
- Midfield Trio: Tomáš Souček, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Álvarez
- Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games.
- Notable Strategy: West Ham employs a robust defensive setup with three centre-backs to provide solidity at the back. They favour counter-attacking football, utilising the pace and creativity of Bowen and Kudus.
Expect heavy reliance on Ward-Prowse’s set-piece expertise and Álvarez’s defensive capabilities. The wide players, Wan-Bissaka and Scarles, are also expected to join the attack when possible, offering width and crossing opportunities.
With an injury-hit squad, West Ham’s depth might impact their flexibility, but their recent win against Arsenal showcases their ability to hold strong.
Leicester Team Analysis
Leicester Recent Performance
- Recent Form: LLLLW
Leicester’s recent form has been disappointing, to say the least, with four losses and just one win in their last five games. Their struggles are evident, particularly in away matches where they have failed to secure a single clean sheet.
Given their current position near the bottom of the table, they’ll need a turn of fortune quickly.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|————|———–|—————-|
| Leicester | Brentford | 0-4 (Loss) |
| Leicester | Arsenal | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Man United | Leicester | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Everton | Leicester | 4-0 (Loss) |
| Tottenham | Leicester | 1-2 (Win) |
Leicester has struggled to find the net, averaging just 0.6 goals per game in their last five outings, highlighting a dire need for offensive improvement. Conceding an average of 2.2 goals per match this season has also been a significant challenge for the team coached by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Leicester Key Players
Expected lineup for Leicester:
- Goalkeeper: Mads Hermansen
- Defenders: Woyo Coulibaly, Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, Victor Kristiansen
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumaré, Facundo Buonanotte, Bilal El Khannouss, Stephy Mavididi
- Forward: Jamie Vardy
Leicester will be looking to their top scorer Jamie Vardy, who has netted 7 goals so far this season, to lead the attack. Vardy’s experience and finishing ability will be crucial, particularly against West Ham’s defence led by Jean-Clair Todibo.
In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumaré will be key in breaking up West Ham’s play and driving Leicester forward. The battle against West Ham’s Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse will be pivotal in controlling the midfield.
Victor Kristiansen and Wout Faes will have to be at their best to thwart the attacking threats of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
Leicester Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ricardo Pereira | Hamstring Injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Issahaku Fatawu | Cruciate ligament injury | Early August 2025 |
| Odsonne Edouard | Unknown | Early March 2025 |
| James Justin | Ankle injury | A few days |
| Caleb Okoli | Knock injury | Doubtful |
Leicester City is facing a challenging period with several players sidelined due to injuries. Ricardo Pereira and Issahaku Fatawu, both key figures, will be missed for their defensive capabilities and energy on the flanks. The absence of Edouard and Justin further depletes the options in attack and defense, placing additional responsibility on Vardy and Kristiansen. These injuries could disrupt the team’s cohesion and depth, making it harder to secure crucial points against West Ham.
Leicester Tactics and Formation
Leicester City’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: Expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
- Key Forward: Jamie Vardy, their top scorer with 7 goals, will be the focal point in attack.
- Midfield Protection: Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumaré will provide defensive solidity in front of the backline.
- Creative Sparks: Bilal El Khannouss in the attacking midfield role. Flanking him will be Facundo Buonanotte and Stephy Mavididi on the wings.
- Defensive Setup: Woyo Coulibaly and Victor Kristiansen will take the fullback positions, while Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard are expected at center-back.
Due to recent poor form and key injuries, expect Leicester to focus on a tight defensive structure and try to hit on the counter.
West Ham vs Leicester Head-to-Head Statistics
Analyzing the last five meetings between West Ham and Leicester:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester City | West Ham | 3-1 |
| Leicester City | West Ham | 2-1 |
| West Ham | Leicester City | 0-2 |
| Leicester City | West Ham | 2-2 |
| West Ham | Leicester City | 4-1 |
In the past five encounters, Leicester has had the upper hand with three wins, one draw, and only one loss to West Ham.
Most of these games have seen more than 2.5 goals scored, indicating a likelihood of a high-scoring match on the cards.
Odds accurate as of 25/02/2025 20:03, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
