This week’s Premier League kicks off at the London Stadium as West Ham host Leicester City in Friday Night Football.
Team News
David Moyes is still without Michael Antonio, James Collins and Javier Hernandez for his first home match as West Ham manager.
Andre Ayew is available after recovering from illness.
Austrian, Marko Arnautovic picked up a worrying injury at Watford but it turned out to just be a swollen thumb.
Leicester have no fresh injury issues although Robert Huth and Matty James are still out.
Form
The Hammers enter this game still in bottom three, having not won in last five league games (D2, L3).
Leicester however have been more consistent, taking two wins and draws from last five league fixtures. Their only loss in that run came last time out at home to Manchester City.
West Ham’s home record this season in the Premier League is worrying, having won two but lost three.
On the road, the Foxes have won just once in six away games with two defeats and three draws.
Solid defence needed
David Moyes will be worried about the Irons’ defensive record entering this game if the following statistics from Footstats are anything to go by.
West Ham are yet to score at home in first half and 60% of conceded goals have come in first half.
Leicester this season have scored just eight away goals with four coming in each half but most of their conceded goals have come after half time.
Being at home seems to suit the East London club because they have averaged more corners and shots than those visiting as can be seen below.
Leicester might only outclass their previous away hosts in the fouls and yellow cards category but they fare better than West Ham if compare their averages alone.
The goals per home/away game average is very tight with the Foxes faring better on 1.33 away goals to West Ham’s 1.2 home goals.
Prediction
London Stadium will be bouncing for Moyes’ first home game but Leicester have been strong to deal with in recent weeks.
The Foxes didn’t disgrace themselves against Manchester City and will be relishing the possibility of three points here.
Since gaining promotion for the 2014-15 season, Leicester have won all three trips to West Ham and I am going to say that they will do it again here.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Leicester
Jake predicts: West Ham 1-2 Leicester
Result: West Ham 1-1 Leicester
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