As we meander our way to the end of the 2014/15 Premier League season, West Ham will look to take advantage of their relatively easy fixtures over the next several weeks and try to book themselves a top eight finish. Facing them this week is a tricky trip north to the King Power Stadium and struggling Leicester City, in a game which means much more to the hosts than it does to the visitors.
Seven points from safety, bottom-placed Leicester are desperate for the win, whereas the ninth placed Hammers are looking to return to the form which took them into the Top 4 before Christmas when they beat Leicester at Upton Park. The hosts have only recorded one win in their last ten league games. Sam Allardyce’s men managed to end their own winless run last time out, beating Sunderland to put a stop to a seven game slide.
Leicester boss Nigel Pearson welcomes Liam Moore back to his squad following his loan spell at Brentford, but Dean Hammond (calf) and Zoumana Bakayogo (knee) are still out. Winger Anthony Knockaert will also miss out due to undisclosed personal reasons.
As for West Ham, James Tomkins (shoulder), Doneil Henry (hamstring) and Andy Carroll (knee) are all certain to miss out. Winston Reid (hamstring) should be fit to play, but Enner Valencia (lacerated toe) won’t make his comeback this week.
The hosts are the bookies’ early favourites for this fixture, despite West Ham being unbeaten against Leicester in their last seven meetings in all competitions (4 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats).
