Premier League | Gameweek 14

Dec 3, 2024 at 8.15pm UK

King Power Stadium

Leicestervs.West Ham

Match preview

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha was there with Van Nistelrooy, who was confirmed as Steve Cooper's replacement on a three-year contract on Friday. Van Nistelrooy was watching from the stands at the Gtech Community Stadium and saw the Foxes mess up a one-goal lead.

Facundo Buonanotte's fourth goal of the Premier League season briefly silenced the Brentford contingent, but the Bees showed they still have a sting in their tail at their own stadium. German Kevin Schade set up Yoane Wissa before registering his first-ever senior career hat-trick.

Leicester have lost three games in a row now. They were beaten by Chelsea and Van Nistelrooy's Manchester United in the last few weeks of Cooper's reign. These poor results have contributed to their current 16th-placed ranking in the Premier League table.

The 2015-16 top-flight champions are only one point ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town with a third of the season gone. Even though Van Nistelrooy is a great striker, the priority for Leicester must be to strengthen their defence.

It's true that the Foxes have let in at least three goals in four of their last six matches, but the King Power crowd almost always has something to cheer about. Tuesday's hosts have scored in all seven of their home matches this season, but they've only netted once in six of those games.

Last season, West Ham were thrashed 6-0 by Arsenal in a London derby, but on Saturday they were on course for an even worse defeat when Mikel Arteta's side scored four times in the first 36 minutes.

Two quick goals from West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson Palmieri meant that Arsenal didn't manage to score six. West Ham briefly looked like they might make a comeback, but Bukayo Saka scored Arsenal's second penalty of the evening.

The first half saw a record-equalling seven goals, with the second half going scoreless at the London Stadium. This suited Arsenal down the ground, but it also triggered the early exits of hundreds of Hammers supporters, as their side's two-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end.

When the Irons are beaten, they are beaten badly. Each of their last five defeats have been by at least three goals. Lopetegui's position is under serious threat while the 14th-placed Hammers are close to the danger zone.

West Ham's last successful away day at Newcastle United is something we can learn from. But Leicester did the double over the former Conference League champions during the 2022-23 campaign. They followed up a 2-0 away win with a 2-1 home success, but then fell at the last hurdle.

Recent Performance

Leicester City Premier League form:WLDLLL

Leicester City form (all competitions):LLDLLL

West Ham United Premier League form:LWLDWL

Team News

Leicester's defensive efforts on Saturday were not helped by an early injury to Caleb Okoli, who collided with his own goalkeeper Mads Hermansen while trying to stop Wissa from equalising for Brentford.

We're still not sure about Okoli's status, but Van Nistelrooy should bring in Jannik Vestergaard for his first game. He'll be without Abdul Fatawu (ACL), Harry Winks (groin), Ricardo Pereira (thigh) and Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle).

Dawson's decision to start with a back three against Brentford didn't work out, so Van Nistelrooy should go back to a four-man rearguard on Tuesday. That's his preferred setup during his time in charge of PSV Eindhoven and – for a while – Man United.

West Ham will also have a boost in attack on Tuesday with the return of Mohammed Kudus from a five-game suspension. The Ghanaian has done well and deserves to be back in the starting XI.

Crysencio Summerville was taken off at half time in the Arsenal game and is likely to be replaced by Mohammed Kudus, who is now eligible to play again. There is still a slim chance that Niclas Fullkrug (calf) could be fit to face Leicester.

Jean-Clair Todibo was also back in action at the weekend after his knock at Newcastle, but Dinos Mavropanos, who used to play for Arsenal, was ruled out of Saturday's game after getting ill and is still a doubt.

Possible starting lineup

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Ndidi, Soumare; Decordova-Reid, Buonanotte, Ayew; Vardy

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Soler, Paqueta, Kudus; Antonio