Leicester City Match Preview

It’s been a busy week for West Ham United  already and after another home trouncing by Arsenal on Saturday, things might be about to look a little brighter as they look to bounce back from that result when they travel to The King Power Stadium to face newly-promoted Leicester City tonight.

The Hammers usually have a good record but this time around, they might find it difficult, as the Foxes sacked Head-Coach Steve Cooper and quickly made the move to bring in Ruud van Nistelrooy as his replacement.

The Dutchman was in the stands at Brentford three days ago and saw his new team lose 4-1. With the Irons needing points too, Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to inflict further pain on the former Manchester United man.

Having beaten another of the top-flight newcomers to earn only their second win of the current campaign against Ipswich Town back on 5 October, they must surely be confident of doing the same to the Foxes here.

After this encounter, the East Londoners aren’t in action again until Monday night’s meeting with Lopetegui’s former club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

This game is crucial for the visitors because if they were to achieve their aim of maximum points, it would see them climb above their opponents and hopefully start a run of consistent form.

Neither team has an advantage in terms of preparation for this game, as both played just three days ago so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top here.

Mohammed Kudus is available to Lopetegui again for the first time since being sent-off at Tottenham Hotspur back on October 19 and that will certainly boost his selection options.

The Head-Coach may choose to rotate his squad and hand starts to the likes of Vladimír Coufal, Guido Rodríguez and Edson Álvarez, Konstantinos Mavropanos may be restored to the starting line-up after missing out in the last few weeks.

Jean-Clair Todibo will have to be assessed after picking up an injury, following the 5-2 defeat three days ago.

The match kicks off at the unusual time of 8:15pm and for the third successive encounter involving the Irons, television coverage will be available. This time around, it will be screened by Amazon Prime Video and build-up will commence at 7:30pm. The referee is Josh Smith.

In other news, the draw for the third-round of the FA Cup was made on Monday evening and West Ham will face a trip to Aston Villa in an all Premier League tie. It will be played over the weekend of January 10-13.