West Ham v Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

West Ham host Arsenal at the London Stadium on Sunday evening in the English Premier League. The hosts sit seven points clear of The Gunners and know that a victory takes them level with Chelsea in the fourth Champions League position. Arsenal can only move up one position with a win and come off the back of qualification for the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

West Ham Form

Moyes has West Ham in excellent form. Their last 12 league matches have seen eight victories. The three defeats came to the top sides as they lost 3-1 at home to Liverpool, 2-1 at Man City (playing very well and producing more xG than City) and 1-0 at Man Utd last time out.

Their last nine Premier League games have seen West Ham score three goals on three occasions and the side have kept three clean sheets in their last six. At home, the Hammers have won five of their last six matches.

West Ham Team News

West Ham welcome Jesse Lingard back into the side after being ineligible to face his parent club last week. Arthur Masuaku, Angelo Ogbonna and Ryan Fredericks are all missing in defence with injury.

David Moyes went with a back three against Man Utd but changed to 4-2-3-1 after an hour and is likely to start this match with the latter formation. Said Benrahma should come into the XI on the left flank with Ben Johnson dropping down to the bench.

Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Fornals are doubts in attacking midfield areas which reduces Moyes’ options off the bench significantly.

West Ham Motivation

The Hammers will play to win this match. A draw may not be a terrible result in isolation but it would be a bad one for their hopes of securing a Champions League place. Moyes’ side don’t play an open game but if he selects a 4-2-3-1 shape with four attacking players plus Tomas Soucek getting into the box, then then carry a real offensive threat.

Expect Moyes to take the game to Arsenal as he did against Man City after a defensive approach failed at Old Trafford.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal have been inconsistent all season, going on a long run of poor form, then an unbeaten run and now an up-and-down spell. Their last 11 matches in all competitions has yielded five wins, four defeats and two draws.

After beating Benfica 3-2 at home and Leicester 3-1 away in four days in late February, Arsenal drew 1-1 at Burnley. They then had another fantastic four days in beating Olympiakos 3-1 away from home and Spurs 2-1 at the Emirates in the North London derby.

In typical Arsenal fashion, they lost 1-0 at home to Olympiakos on Thursday night but still progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Arsenal Team News

Arsenal have two injury doubts for this match with Willian dealing with a calf problem and Bukayo Saka nursing a hamstring injury. The latter is likely to be fit enough to be on the bench as risking him for this match would not be wise.

Having played on Thursday, Mikel Arteta may look to make some changes with Pablo Mari pushing for a start at centre back and Alexandre Lacazette possibly playing up front with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being used on the left.

Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard should both in midfield after being taken out of the firing line from the start against Olympiakos in midweek but being called upon from the bench after 57 minutes to steady the ship.

Arsenal Motivation

Arsenal have just had a match so fatigue is a factor with just two rest days. They did not have to travel though and should be fully motivated for this match despite not having a great deal to play for as far as the Premier League is concerned.

Arteta would probably be satisfied to play well, take a point and avoid any injuries from this match whilst his team selection could be telling in terms of how much priority he is giving to this game.

Key Stats

West Ham have won 5 of their last 6 home PL matches

West Ham have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 6 PL matches

West Ham have won 1 of their last 11 matches against Arsenal (L8, D2)

Arsenal have won 4 of their last 6 matches

Arsenal have won 3 of their last 8 PL matches

Arsenal have lost 5 of their last 7 matches after playing in the Europa League

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 8 goals in his last 11 matches

Prediction

West Ham are having an excellent season and are playing very well at home. However, their record against Arsenal has been poor for years and so is their record against the top sides under David Moyes. This game has a draw written all over it with few goals being scored.