2018-19 Premier League: Week 35 – West Ham United vs Leicester City

West Ham United welcome Leicester City to the London Stadium in what is an decisive Premier League clash in the race for seventh. 

Anything less than three points will end West Ham’s hopes of clinching the final yet potential Europa League spot, whereas Leicester could take a huge step towards qualification with a win and other results going their way. 

 

Team news

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West Ham United could be without several players as three face late fitness tests but Marko Arnautovic is fit after overcoming illness, which kept him out of last weekend’s loss at Manchester United. 

Javier Hernandez (illness), Aaron Creswell (knee) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) will all be assessed pre match. 

Samir Nasri (calf) and Manuel Lanzini (groin) are both ruled out alongside long term absentees; Winston Reid (knee), Andriy Yarmolenko (Achilles) and Andy Carroll (ankle). 

Carlos Sanchez has resumed training with the first-team squad but won’t be rushed back into action until he is ready. 

Leicester have no fresh injury concerns as Daniel Amartey remains a fortnight away from possibly returning from an ankle injury. 

 

Form

West Ham have taken just one win from their last five matches, with Everton inflicting a first home defeat of 2019 on them during their last home game three weeks ago.

Leicester saw a four match winning run ended last time out at home by Newcastle but are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels under Brendan Rodgers. 

 

Stat Attack

• Two of last three meetings have finished 1-1 between these teams, with West Ham winning the other clash by a 2-0 result in May 2018. 
• West Ham’s last six goals in this fixture have all come from six different goalscorers. 
• Lukas Fabianski has produced 133 saves this season for West Ham, more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. 
• Leicester’s Jamie Vardy has missed 15 big chances this season compared to just six last season. 
• Declan Rice has won 62% of his 92 tackles for West Ham this season whereas Leicester’s Harry Maguire has only won 59.3% of his 27 tackles. 

 

Prediction

This should be a good game between two attacking teams here but defence will be key because both sides aren’t the best when it comes to keeping clean sheets. 

I can therefore see another draw here unless Leicester are as clinical as they have been in recent away games. 

Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Leicester City

Jake predicts: West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City

Result: West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City