West Ham know how to keep Vardy quiet but can they do it again this weekend?

Sean Byrne
9 April 2021

Jamie Vardy to miss number of weeks after hernia operation

Jamie Vardy will be looking to make an impact when his side face West Ham in a potential showdown for Champions League football.

West Ham's 3-2 victory over Wolves moved them into fourth spot - leaving them just four points behind third-placed Leicester.

The Foxes, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to top of the table Man City last weekend, are at risk of dropping out of the Champions League places if they fail to string together a run of victories.

Both teams are under pressure from Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool for a Champions League qualifying spot, and their match-up this weekend will be viewed as a massive opportunity for both sides to gain momentum.

Tip for the fixture

With both sides so close in the table and fighting for a top four finish, Skybet are offering decent odds of 12/5 for this match-up to end a draw.

Stat Attack

Leicester have lost just twice to West Ham in their last 13 meetings, with their most recent defeat coming earlier this season when they were defeated 3-0 at the King Power stadium.

Vardy has played against the Hammers 11 times and has managed to amass just four wins in that time.

Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers with Jamie Vardy

He also has a relatively poor goal scoring record against West Ham having bagged just three goals in those 11 appearances.

Here, we take an in-depth look at the games in which Vardy hurt the Hammers.

Leicester City 2-2 West Ham United (King Power Stadium - April 17, 2016)

Despite opening the scoring, it was a short day for Vardy as he was dismissed by referee John Moss after 56 minutes.

Vardy gifted his side the lead as he rocketed the ball past goalie following an excellent team build up from Riyad Mahrez and Ngolo Kante.

Having picked up a yellow card in the first half, Vardy was then showed a second after the referee judged him to have dived inside the box.

Many felt the decision was the right one, with Vardy clearly making the most of the minimal contact defender Angelo Ogbonna made on him as he charged into the box.

The extra man allowed West Ham back into the game by scoring two goals in quick succession, and it took an added time penalty from Leonardo Ulloa to rescue a point for the Foxes.

Before being sent off Vardy was on top form, however the dismissal did reflect badly on him for dirty play by looking for the penalty.

West Ham United 2-3 Leicester City (London Stadium - March 18, 2017)

Vardy helped the then reigning champions get their first victory away from home that season with a goal and an assist.

After five minutes Vardy was involved in the opener as he assisted Mahrez by beating Cheikhou Kouyate and feeding the ball to the Algerian. Mahrez's cross from distance then luckily crept through the box of players and into the bottom corner of the net.

Robert Huth doubled Leicester's lead before Manuel Lanzini pulled one back. However, it was Vardy who made it three as he hammered a loose ball from a corner into the roof of the net from inside the six yard box.

Andre Ayew made it 3-2 in the second half but Leicester did enough to hold on. Vardy was a nuisance all day by utilising his pace and creating chances by running at the Hammers back line.

West Ham United 2-2 Leicester City (London Stadium - April 20, 2019)

Once again these two sides were held to a four-goal stalemate thanks, in part, to goals from Vardy and a controversial one from substitute Harvey Barnes.

Michail Antonio got the only goal of the first half for the hosts, but in the second half Vardy equalised by poking in a cross from Ben Chilwell.

Vardy's quick thinking allowed him to get to the cross ahead of Mathieu Valbuena and his outstretched leg turned the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Lukasz Fabianski no chance.

Lucas Perez thought he had won it for the Hammers, however an added time equaliser from Harvey Barnes meant the points were shared.

This came in controversial fashion as moments before West Ham had a third ruled out for offside, which upon VAR review appeared to be the wrong decision yet was not overturned.

West Ham had the better of opportunities on this occasion, however Vardy still provided a vital goal threat that will be an important player again this weekend.

With both teams searching for a top four finish, neither side will be satisfied with a point in this match-up, so an intense game with many goals should be expected.