West Ham vs Leicester prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2025-02-26 20:00.
[p]West Ham are riding the crest of a wave after their shock 1-0 victory at Arsenal last weekend brought an end to a four-game winless run (D1, L3). The Hammers still occupy a lowly position in the Premier League table, but that success in North London has lifted them 13 points clear of the bottom three pre-round and eased any lingering fears of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.[/p]
[p]Graham Potter’s side could put even more daylight between themselves and the sides beneath them on Thursday night against Leicester, and having won 11 of their last 14 Premier League games against promoted sides (D2, L1), the omens appear in their favour. That sole defeat did come in the reverse fixture back in December, while the fact the Hammers have already been beaten seven times at home in the league this term (W4, D2) shows they can be vulnerable at the London Stadium. [/p]
[p]Leicester’s 3-1 win in early December, which came in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge, is one of just four league victories they’ve managed since their return to the top flight (D5, L17). Having picked up just four points since then (W1, D1, L10), the Foxes begin this round five points from safety and look destined to make an immediate return to the Championship after a thumping 4-0 defeat to Brentford on Friday night.[/p]
[p]It comes as no surprise that Leicester’s main issue this season has been a fragile defence, with only bottom-of-the-table Southampton conceding more Premier League goals than Leicester’s 59 pre-round. The Foxes have conceded 2+ goals in 20 Premier League games already, and that tally includes 11 of their 13 league matches since Van Nistelrooy took charge, so it’s fair to say the Dutchman’s impact since taking the job hasn’t been overly positive.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Aaron Wan-Bissaka has won all three of his home career H2Hs with Leicester without conceding a single goal, while he assisted Jarrod Bowen’s winner at Arsenal at the weekend. Foxes loanee Facundo Buonanotte has picked up six of his seven bookings in the Premier League this season after the 60th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Leicester have conceded a league-high 14 goals this season between the 16th and 30th minute, two of which came on Friday night.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]