West Ham vs Leicester: 3 factors that could define the huge top-four showdown

Manchester City 2-5 Leicester City-Jamie Vardy

West Ham United take on Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend and it will be a crucial game in the context of the top four race.

Both teams are in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League and it will be interesting to see comes out on top this week. 

The Hammers have picked up just three wins in their last six league games but the win over Wolves last time out will give them some much-needed belief and confidence. Meanwhile, Leicester have won three of their last six league games as well. 

Both sides are in similar form and this should be an even contest. 

Here at Anytime football, we look at three things that could define the game. 

Kelechi Iheanacho show

The former Manchester City striker has been in exceptional form off late and he will be a key weapon for Brendan Rodgers and his side this weekend. 

The striker is in good goalscoring form and he could trouble the West Ham defence which was all over the place against Wolves in the last game. 

Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 7 goals in his last five games for the Foxes and he has an assist in that period as well. 

Jesse Lingard form

The 28-year-old joined the Hammers in January and he has been unplayable mostly.

He has six goals and three assists to his name so far and Jesse Lingard is undoubtedly one of the best players at the club right now. 

Leicester love to play free-flowing attacking football and they are likely to afford West Ham space in the midfield. Lingard thrives on space and he could be a game-changer for the Hammers at the weekend. 

The England international will be looking to add to his tally this week. 

Jamie Vardy’s dip in form

The Leicester superstar is one of the best strikers in the league but he has gone off the boil for some time now. Jamie Vardy will be hoping to regain his scoring touch this week. 

He has just one goal in his last 17 games and that is simply unacceptable for a player of his calibre.

West Ham will be hoping for more of the same from him but the Leicester star will be desperate to bounce back. 

The hernia surgery earlier in the season seems to have affected Vardy’s performance levels. Furthermore, the tactical switch from Rodgers has played a part in his decline as well.

Leicester are playing three at the back and two up front. Vardy is no longer the sole striker and the chances are shared between him and Iheanacho.

Furthermore, the lack of creativity because of the injury to James Maddison is a factor as well. It will be interesting to see Vardy can get his mojo back and steer Leicester to a top-four finish this year.