Verdict: Under 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With all eyes falling on Chicago in midweek, West Ham and Everton will meet at Soldier Field late on Wednesday night.
West Ham
Starting with West Ham, while Graham Potter might have arrived at the London Stadium back in January, it is fair to say that the former Chelsea boss has failed to offer any real stability. Flattering to deceive for large spells last season as they limped their way to a downbeat 14th-place finish, the Hammers also got their summer preparations underway with a 2-1 loss against Manchester United in New York last weekend. Remarkably recording consecutive Premier League wins on just a single occasion last season, Potter will know that pressure could quickly mount on his shoulders. Seeking a summer boost in Chicago, West Ham also know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel. Shipping 62 Premier League goals during the 2024/25 campaign, that was the fifth-worst defensive tally among England’s elite.
West Ham Team News
Not travelling over to the Unites States this summer, former Leeds ace Crysencio Summerville is still sidelined with a long-term hamstring issue. Completing a permeant switch from Slavia Prague this month, Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf will be deployed in a left wing-back role.
Both making real impacts off the bench against Manchester United in New York last weekend, academy graduates Freddie Potts and Preston Fearon could both start in the middle of the park.
Everton
As for Everton, watching David Moyes make an emotional return to Merseyside back in January, the Toffees certainly enjoyed a real rise under the ex-West Ham boss. Skyrocketing themselves away from a looming relegation scrap, the Blues won all of their final three Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 6-1 and they also registered 10 points from their last four outings. Suffering consecutive Premier League defeats on just a single occasion since the start of January, Moyes will be desperate to get one over on his former employers here. Although Everton might have gained a reputation for their rugged approach under the Scottish tactician, they are seeking an immediate response on Wednesday night. Getting their summer preparations underway with a 3-0 drumming against Bournemouth last weekend, the Toffees will be looking to dust themselves down quickly and show that their downbeat performance in New York was nothing more than a minor blip.
Everton Team News
Not travelling over to the United States this summer, England international James Tarkowski remains on the sidelines with a long-term hamstring injury. Likewise, in what is a real blow for Moyes’ side, defensive talisman Jarrad Branthwaite will not feature this month after picking up a minor quad strain.
Completing a permanent move to Merseyside this month and making a cameo appearance off the bench against Bournemouth last weekend, French starlet Thierno Barry should feature from the start.
West Ham vs Everton Key Factors to Consider
- When West Ham and Everton last met back on March 15th, Wednesday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at Goodison Park.
- The Hammers have lost just one of their previous five Premier League meetings against Everton.
- Along with winning their final three Premier League appearances last season by an aggregate score of 6-1, Everton registered 10 points from their last four top-flight outings.
- Shipping 62 Premier League goals during the 2024/25 campaign, West Ham held the fifth-worst defensive tally among England’s elite.
- Only three of the last 10 meetings between West Ham and Everton have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two camps who opened their summer adventures with respective defeats last weekend, West Ham and Everton will know the importance of claiming their own boosts in Chicago. However, with both sides failing to find any real fluidity in the final third last season, it is fair to say that we might not be set for a blockbuster battle from Soldier Field late on Wednesday night. Playing out a pair of Premier League stalemates when they met last season, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a premium here.
Verdict: Under 3.5 goals
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
