After back-to-back away days, West Ham United are back at London Stadium for Premier League football, with, the 2016 champions, Leicester City their opponents.
West Ham were valiant in defeat to Manchester United last Saturday, having more shots and possession than the home team and hitting the crossbar late on.Â
Boss Manuel Pellegrini believes if they play the same way the results will come, especially at home where they have only lost once this calendar year.
"We wanted to add more points, but if we play the way we did against Manchester United we will win more than the way we played against Huddersfield [when we did win],†he said.
“I think the players must demonstrate here at home, that we will finish the season in the correct way.
Pellegrini has history with his counterpart this weekend, Brendan Rodgers. The Chilean was Manchester City boss when they edged out Rodgers’ Liverpool to the title.
“The results Brendan has had at Leicester have been very good. He is a manager that knows the Premier League, and I think also that Leicester is a very good team with good players,†said Pellegrini.
Leicester sit in seventh position, with the Hammers five points behind, so a win would move them back into the race. The manager calls for a last push in the run-in.
“If you have the opportunity you must fight to the last game, we have four games left and we must try to win them.â€
Into the team news, Marko Arnautovic is set to return to the squad but they will be without Manuel Lanzini and Samir Nasri, whilst Chicharito is a doubt.
A long-term absentee has been Jack Wilshere, but he has been building up his training schedule and is now close to a return to action.
“He’s played already one game for the U23s. We’ll talk with him but it’ll be soon. This week or next week. He’ll play some games before the end of the season.â€
“The return for Jack to the team will be a good injection for the team.â€
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three encounters with City, but have just one win in the previous nine fixtures.
