Premier League: West Ham Out to Hammer the Tired Reds in London

West Ham United vs Liverpool

West Ham United are eager to get out of the Premier League relegation mix as soon as possible, and this will be their motivation when they host a stuttering Liverpool team in the famous London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After enduring a slow start since taking over as the Hammers’ boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, who was with Nottingham Forest earlier this campaign, is enjoying a three-game unbeaten run, with recent victories against Newcastle United (3-1) and Burnley (3-2), followed by a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last time out. In the English top-flight table, West Ham United have 11 points, level with 18th-seeded Leeds United and a point above 19th-seeded Burnley.

Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to drop games, and at this rate, a successful title defence is out of the question. Arne Slot’s side is currently on a three-game losing streak across all competitions.

Learn more about these two teams in today’s SBOTOP match preview.

 

Talking Points

Wilson catching fire for West Ham United

With Niclas Fullkrug dealing with a thigh injury, Callum Wilson has led the line for the Hammers, and he’s a big reason behind the team’s unbeaten streak. The 33-year-old striker, who joined from Newcastle United last summer, scored a goal against Burnley earlier this month before bagging a brace against Bournemouth to salvage a point. All in all, Wilson now has four league goals to lead West Ham United in scoring this season, and he’ll likely lead the line again versus Liverpool.

Moreover, West Ham United will be boosted by the returns of Lucas Paqueta and Crysencio Summerville. Paqueta is available after serving his one-game suspension, while Summerville returned to training this week after missing the Bournemouth game due to a strained calf. Centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos is also pushing to be fit after taking the day off against the Cherries.

With Lukasz Fabianski still out due to an injury, Alphonse Areola should continue to start between the sticks for the Hammers, with Igor Julio, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Max Kilman covering him at the back. Liverpool also have to watch out for the young midfield pair of Freddie Potts and Mateus Fernandes.

 

Liverpool face huge frontline blow

The Reds are sweating on Hugo Ekitike’s fitness ahead of this weekend, as the Frenchman hurt his back and was withdrawn in the 61st minute of Wednesday’s Champions League game at Anfield, where they lost 4-1 against PSV. Isak subbed in for Ekitike but failed to make an impact, and the Swede, who has yet to open his scoring account with the Reds, will likely start in his place against the Hammers.

Arne Slot will also seriously consider taking Mohamed Salah out of the starting XI after his anonymous performance against PSV. Florian Wirtz could come back as a starter, with Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa pushing for starts.

Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong will remain out, so Liverpool’s starting right-back position remains a massive problem. They’ve had Dominik Szoboszlai filling in, but it isn’t working.

 

History

Despite their recent slump, Liverpool might fancy their chances against West Ham United. That’s because the Hammers have won just one of their last 18 Premier League matches against the Reds (D3, L14), beating them 3-2 at the London Stadium in November 2021.

Liverpool have scored 25 goals in their nine Premier League visits to the London Stadium, including a 5-0 win in this fixture last season. However, Arne Slot’s men have lost each of their last five away league matches against London sides, as many as in their previous 31 (W16, D10). The Reds have lost 3-0 in back-to-back games against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, and they’re in danger of conceding at least three goals in three consecutive league games since April 1955 in the second tier.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2025 odds continue to back Liverpool, despite their poor form. The Reds are priced at 1.78 to win, while a West Ham United home victory is at 3.73, and a draw is pegged at 3.69 in the 1X2 market. Again, Liverpool must not underestimate their lower-tiered opponents to take maximum points.

Either way, this fixture should feature several new Premier League 2025 highlights, given the trend in their recent encounters. Besides our recommended bet, bettors may also consider adding Over 2.75 at 1.62, Over 3.25 at 2.12, and even Total Goals 4-6 at 2.54 to the parlay. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of the Reds – the result of their most recent meeting – is on offer at 7.70.

   

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