Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
At the heart of what has quickly become an infamous crisis, Liverpool will turn their attention back to Premier League duties on Sunday afternoon when they travel to West Ham.
West Ham
Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have been frustrated on the south coast last weekend as they eventually marked their return from November’s international break with a 2-2 stalemate away at Bournemouth, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have made some real improvements on either side of the fortnight interval. Springing a major upset earlier in the month as they got November underway with a 3-1 victory against Newcastle, the former Nottingham Forest boss has seen his new squad register seven points from their previous three Premier League appearances. Finding a route out of the relegation zone, some in Santo’s camp could be smelling the chance to widen their buffer over the bottom-three. It should also be noted, the Hammers have recorded back-to-back wins in east London for the first time this calendar year.
West Ham Team News
Missing out away at Bournemouth last weekend after suffering a muscle issue while in training, West Ham are once again sweating over the fitness of ex-Leeds star Crysencio Summerville. However, after serving a one-match suspension at the Vitality, Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta could be handed a full recall.
Bagging a brace last weekend and registering four Premier League goals so far this season, former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson will lead the line. Making a summer switch from Southampton, Matheus Fernandes will partner academe graduate Freddie Potts in the middle of the park.
Liverpool
As for the visitors, completely blown away at Anfield earlier in the week as they slumped to a woeful 4-1 drumming against Dutch outfit PSV, Liverpool find themselves at the heart of what has become an infamous rut. Marking their return from November’s international break with a 3-0 defeat at home against relegation scrappers Nottingham Forest, the pressure on Arne Slot’s shoulders has now reached a boiling point. Remarkably dropping out the top-half of the Premier League table, the former Feyenoord boss has seen his superstar squad lose nine of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions. Continuing to show a string of glaring defensive issues and enduring their worst run of form in over six decades, Liverpool have also lost five of their last six showdowns away from Anfield. Coming under even more scrutiny over the past few days, Slot’s side arrive in east London desperately searching for any kind of boost.
Liverpool Team News
Once again missing out against PSV on Wednesday night and drastically failing to find his feet since completing a record-breaking move from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of Florian Wirtz. Likewise, fellow new recruit Jeremy Frimpong remains on the sidelines with a hamstring issue.
Although number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker might have missed out at Anfireld earlier in the week, the Brazilian shot-stopper should return between the sticks here. With Slot potentially looking to make a handful of alterations this weekend, Andrew Robertson could replace former Bournemouth star Milos Kerkez at left-back.
West Ham vs Liverpool Key Factors to Consider
- Liverpool have won each of their previous three meetings against West Ham by an aggregate score of 12-2.
- However, remarkably losing nine of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions, Liverpool are enduring their worst rut in over six decades.
- West Ham have registered seven points from their previous three Premier League appearances.
- The Hammers have recored consecutive Premier League victories in east London for the first time this calendar year.
- Liverpool have registered just a single clean sheet away from Anfield since back in April.
Conclusion
Putting in another woeful display earlier in the week as they slumped to an infamous 4-1 drumming at home against Dutch outfit PSV, Liverpool find themselves at the heart of a record-breaking rut. Remarkably scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, the pressure on Slot’s shoulders has certainly reached a boiling point. Meeting a West Ham side who have show some real improvements on either side of November’s international break, we look set for a frantic affair from the London Stadium this weekend. In a contest that tends to produce plenty of fireworks, we also have a showdown between two incredibly leaky defences.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
