West Ham United vs Leicester City
Two Premier League clubs who punched well above their weight last season mean this clash will catch the eye more than it would have done a few years back.
For a start, West Ham were tipped to be nowhere near the European places, yet managed to embark on a run which meant they were actually in the race for a Champions League spot until the closing weeks of the season.
At the same time, they also helped develop players who would play a key role at Euro 2020, not at least midfielder Declan Rice who was a regular starter for England in their route to the final.
If West Ham’s campaign was a decent one, then Leicester City were the undoubted team of the season.
Never mind they missed out on a Champions League spot on the final day for a second successive campaign. Instead, they ended up claiming a much greater prize.
They won football’s most famous cup competition in the FA Cup via glorious fashion against a Chelsea side which would go onto be crowned champions of Europe just weeks later.
The moments of joy produced at Wembley, from Youri Tielemans’s match-winning strike to some late Kasper Schmeichel wonder saves in front of a returning, albeit reduced crowd, made all football fans stand up and be proud.
It was a truly wonderful achievement since when they’ve also beaten Manchester City to lift the Community Shield – which was again another milestone for the club from the East Midlands who has won every major domestic trophy available since the turn of the millennium.
It is such achievements that make this such an attractive fixture.
Talking Points
West Ham started the new season in fine form last weekend, twice coming from behind to hit four on Tyneside and see off Newcastle with goals from Said Benrahma, Tomas Soucek, and Michail Antonio.
Antonio’s goal was actually his 47th in the top-flight, which means he is now level with Paolo Di Canio as West Ham’s leading all-time Premier League goalscorer.
What’s more, it also showed the character that David Moyes men displayed aplenty of last term is still evident.
Character aplenty is also deep in the Leicester City ranks, a side which would surely be playing in this season’s Champions League if they had managed to keep the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes fit – who both missed long periods of last season with injury.
Out front they have the evergreen Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho – who had a superb campaign last term, netting 16 goals in all competitions.
While at the other end of the park, captain and goalkeeper Schmeichel has returned from a superb Euro 2020 campaign where he showed his leadership qualities are first class.
Will West Ham or Leicester be able to match last season’s efforts? The honest answer is it’s unlikely, unless they get more reinforcements as the established big hitters get richer and stronger.
That does not detract from their achievements though and, with such talent and desire on show, we can likely expect Premier League 2021 highlights and a compelling encounter on Monday night.
History
Last season, West Ham completed a league double over the Foxes.
This corresponding fixture saw the Hammers, inspired by on-loan Jesse Lingard, race into a 3-0 lead inside 48 minutes as Jarrod Bowen added to Lingard’s first half double.
Iheanacho netted twice inside the final 20 minutes but the outcome never looked in doubt.
Earlier in the season, West Ham had produced one of their best showings of the whole campaign with a 3-0 success at Leicester – courtesy of goals from Michail Antonio, Pablo Fornals, and Jarrod Bowen.
That was the first league double West Ham had managed over them since both were in the Championship in 2011/12.
Indeed until last term, West Ham had only beaten Leicester once in their past 12 matches (11 Premier League, one League Cup).
Two seasons ago, Leicester completed their own league double over the east enders – a quickfire double with both matches played in the space of under a month.
At Christmas, the Foxes won 2-1 at the London Stadium courtesy of goals from Iheanacho and Demarai Gray. They then ran out 4-1 winners at home in January when two goals from Harvey Barnes and Ricardo Pereira put the hosts in front.
Mark Noble pulled one back from the penalty spot before two late goals from Ayoze Perez put a one-sided slant on the scoreline.
Overall, Leicester have 49 triumphs in all competitions, West Ham have won on 54 occasions and there have been 33 draws.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
West Ham United vs Leicester City | 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 |
| August 24, 03:00 (GMT+8) |
This is pretty much an evenly matched contest as you’ll find with the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds.
West Ham are priced 1X2 @ 2.62 and Leicester virtually the same @ 2.66.
With Asian Handicap odds it’s a similar tale.
The home side are available to back -0.25 @ 2.31 with the Foxes almost identical -0.25 @ 2.33.
It should certainly be a lot closer than the corresponding fixture last term, which is why there won’t be many opting for Correct Score 0-3 @ 36.00.
I do expect goals and over 2.75 @ 2.05 has caught my eye but I’ve decided to opt for the law of averages this time.
In the last 17 meetings, there have only been four draws and surely it’s time for another one.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
