Premier League: Leicester Need Reviving as Hammers Prove Doubters Wrong

Leicester City vs West Ham United

When these sides met in the Premier League earlier in the season, Michael Antonio scored twice and celebrated by holding up a cardboard cut-out of himself.

A repeat of that – and a similar result – this Sunday and West Ham will stay in the top four ahead of much bigger spending luminaries as Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs.

This SBOTOP observer was mightily impressed by the Hammers when he watched them go down to a last-gasp goal at Old Trafford a few weeks ago.

In fact, I don’t mind admitting, David Moyes has developed them into a much better team than I gave them credit for.

On saying all of that, I do think they will miss out on a place in the Champions League next term.

Yet their visit to the King Power Stadium on Sunday presents another opportunity for the ‘east enders’ to prove their doubters wrong.

Talking Points

To start with, they could do with Antonio strutting his stuff again.

The striker has arguably been out of form of late but that is not a reflection on his ability, more a combination of lack of forward options at Moyes’ disposal, coupled with the way some opponents have tended to start playing against West Ham, sitting deep and leaving the Jamaican no room to run into.

Yet they managed to get back to winning ways in the league with a narrow 1-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday night and that should help their confidence in a week which has been dominated by the off the field behaviour of their defender Kurt Zouma – he has been fined two weeks wages which will be donated to animal welfare causes.

If he can shake off the inevitable boo-boys, and West Ham can concentrate solely on the football, then the main pressure will be on the hosts.

Leicester City have been marvellous at times over the past year, let us not forget.

Their FA Cup success last May was one for the ages, while they even created some of the surprise Premier League highlights of the season over the festive period as they defeated Liverpool against the odds to place a huge dent in the Merseysiders’ title bid.

Life has not been as rosy since with Brendan Rodgers’ side slipping to 12^th in the table and struggling for any kind of form.

Their latest reverse, a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, would have been heavier but for the brilliance of Kasper Schmeichel and came just four days after they were thrashed 4-1 by Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

The absence of key men such as Johnny Evans and Jamie Vardy is hardly helping at either end of the pitch, while the decision to rest YouriTielemans at Anfield seemed bizarre to this unknowing observer.

The Belgian may well return this weekend, but will that be enough against a West Ham side which has put 10 past the Foxes in their last three encounters?

A meeting of two sides who are punching above their weight, it should offer plenty of entertainment.

History

On top of the 4-1 victory earlier in this campaign, West Ham completed a league double over the Foxes last season.

In east London the Hammers, inspired by on-loan Jesse Lingard, raced into a 3-0 lead inside 48 minutes as Jarrod Bowen added to Lingard’s first half double.

Kelechi Iheanacho netted twice inside the final 20 minutes but the outcome never looked in doubt.

This corresponding fixture saw West Ham produce one of their best showings of the whole campaign with a 3-0 success, courtesy of goals from Antonio, Pablo Fornals and Bowen.

That was the first league double West Ham had managed over them since both were in the Championship in 2011-12.

Indeed, until last term, West Ham had only beaten Leicester once in 12 matches.

Overall, Leicester have 49 triumphs in all competitions, West Ham have won on 55 occasions and there have been 33 draws.

Betting Tip

	Leicester City vs West Ham United	1X2 Draw @ 3.35
	February 14, 00:30 (GMT+8)

The Premier League betting odds edge towards the visitors who are priced 1X2 @ 2.47 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.47.

Leicester can be backed 1X2 @ 2.74 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.17.

The draw is on offer @ 3.35.

Correct Score 0-3 – which is what happened last season – will pay out @ 28.00.

I expect goals and over 3.00 is available @ 2.25 with total goal 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 2.93 among the options.

I do think this will be level pegging ultimately and that is why my *** prediction is 1X2 Draw @ 3.35.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.