LONDON, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Ruud van Nistelrooy makes his debut as Leicester City coach on Tuesday when his new side entertains West Ham United in a vital Premier League fixture.

Van Nistelrooy was named as the replacement for Steve Cooper on Friday, barely two weeks after ending his spell as interim boss of Manchester United, and was in the stands to watch his side end up on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing away to Brentford on Saturday.

Leicester is just one point above the relegation zone, and in danger of dropping into the bottom three if results elsewhere in the division's round of midweek matches go against Leicester.

West Ham is also in trouble with just 15 points this season and travels to the Midlands after a 5-2 thrashing at home to Arsenal, which undid much of the good work it produced in winning in Newcastle a week previously.

West Ham coach Julen Lopetegui remains under the spotlight after a disappointing start at the club and needs to see more consistency and personality from his players - especially in defense.

Tuesday's other match is a relegation six-pointer with second from bottom Ipswich Town at home to Crystal Palace, who sits one point above it.

Palace probably deserved more than the point it salvaged with a last-minute goal at home to Newcastle on Saturday and a win at Portman Road would allow it to put some distance between itself and the bottom three.

Adam Wharton remains a doubt for Palace, but England international, Eberechi Eze could be available for under-pressure coach Oliver Glasner.

The remaining games will be played on Wednesday, with Manchester City looking to end its dreadful run of form at home to a difficult Nottingham Forest. League leader, Liverpool travels to Newcastle and Enzo Maresca's improving Chelsea travels to bottom of the table, Southampton. Enditem

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