West Ham are looking to grab their first win under David Moyes this Friday. Leicester will be desperate to not let that happen.
After winning the Premier League a couple of seasons ago, Leicester have failed to hit the highs again. Despite doing well in the Champions League last season they struggled in the league, leading to the firing of Ranieri. But as West Ham’s next opponent, they’re still exceptionally dangerous.
With the retention of Mahrez and Vardy, they are still more than capable of outscoring most opponents. And they can do so at pace. Both Mahrez and Vardy play best when on the run, and away from home they are deadly.
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Key Men
The Foxes have a number of key individuals that underpin their great team attitude. Mahrez is the key creator in the side, with 4 assists so far this season. However he also creates danger simply by drawing players with him. And if you remember their title winning run there just isn’t any way the Hammers will let him have space close to the box.
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Jamie Vardy is the key strikeman, and it all relies on him breaking the offside trap or isolating defenders one on one. Given the lack of organization from the Hammers so far this season, this is a worry. If there isn’t someone watching Vardy at all times then he will be a real danger.
Another key man is Harry Maguire. The central defender is a good ball player and he also picks up a goal or two from set pieces. If the Hammers can start to get him and Morgan moving around it will be a good game for them. If we allow Maguire a simple game by playing our game in front of him it’s going to be frustrating all over.
Decisive areas
There are two main areas that I think will decide Friday night’s match. First of all it will be how the Hammers deal with the ball in possession. We all know Leicester don’t hang on to it for long, but if the boys in Claret and Blue are wasteful or too slow themselves they will struggle to get anything out of the game. Moving the ball around with purpose must be the strategy Moyes pushes.
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The other is set pieces. Both sides have strong aerial players, and a solid delivery from both wings. However the Hammers must not get caught with too many up the pitch, like against Liverpool. It is a free chance to form a counter attack for Leicester and they will have watched that Salah goal with glee. It is up to West Ham to be clever.