Ordinarily, an encounter between Leicester and West Ham is not supposed to be significant especially for the run-in in the English Premier League. As a matter of fact, this fixture coming towards the end of the season could only be crucial if it is a relegation battle which the two teams are noted for based on their pedigree in the EPL.
However, the arrival of Slaven Bilic for West Ham and Claudio Ranieri for Leicester have changed all that as the two teams are in the top surprisingly chasing glory. West Ham are still pushing for a place in Europe and with 52 points recorded so far, it is possible while Leicester are on top of the table with 72 points.
The Foxes have seven points between them and second-placed Tottenham and look like Champions- elect of the EPL with only five matches left. As these two teams clash today, this fixture is the most crucial with all eyes on Leicester to either continue their winning run or drop points.
Four players contending for the PFA player of the year will be on duty in this match. They are Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante of Leicester and West Ham’s Dimitri Payet. Vardy who scored the two goals in the 2-0 away win last weekend against Sunderland is key to the success story of the team.
Ranieri will bank on the striker to continue from where he stopped at the Stadium of Light in this encounter against their stubborn visitors. With 21 goals so far, Vardy is second highest scorer behind Harry Kane of Spurs.
He scored 11 goals consecutively this term to emerge the striker with the longest goal scoring run in the league. Winning this match for his side will take them closer to the title and improve Vardy’s chances of grabbing the PFA award.
Apart from Payet, Bilic will also rely on in-form Andy Carroll in this crucial encounter that promises to be highly explosive.
