England Premier League
Saturday 18th January 2020
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Olympic Stadium
Match Preview:
Here are two clubs that had much higher hopes this season, but have struggled for most of it. They have a few things in common too. Namely they have both sacked their managers and West Ham have appointed for the second time David Moyes who will always be most associated with Everton having spent 11 years with the club.
Moyes suffered his first defeat as West Ham manager as they lost to Sheffield United 1-0. The Hammers had appeared to score a last minute equaliser, which was ruled out by VAR for a handball against Declan Rice in the build up. As with most VAR decisions the outcome looked harsh, but rules are rules, and maybe they need to be changed first. Anyway that is by and by and the truth is that West Ham managed only 2 shots on target in that game.
This is all a bit of a comedown for a club who smashed Bournemouth 4-0 in their last home game and Moyes’ first and the Scotsman would love to get one over his former side. The Hammers form is poor with 3 defeats in their last four games.
The other question’s that must be posed for West Ham is could they go down this season? Does Moyes have something different to offer? They attacked brilliantly against Bournemouth but will the club be able to do so long term against better opposition? The Hammers are currently in 16th place and just 1 point above the relegation zone.
Everton are still in that honeymoon period because managers don’t come much bigger and successful as Carlo Ancelotti. True he has already seen losses against Manchester City and Liverpool, but his job right now is about beating the teams around the club and making the club a more assured opponent and getting his best out of the players.
Form is very good for the Toffee’s who have won 3 of their last four games and picked up 10 points from their last 15. A win could see Everton move into the top half of the table, which would be significant and really underline why Ancelotti was needed at the club. Away form remains poor with just one win in their last five and the club have lost 7 on the road and have the 3rd worst away record in the league.
Team News:
West Ham: Michail Antonio has recovered from his hamstring injury but may not be fit for this game and will face a late fitness test. A big blow for the club is losing goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after he had just come back from a long term injury. He has a hip problem and could miss the rest of the month as a result. Felipe Anderson looks doubtful to be ready for this game with a rib injury. Ryan Fredericks is out for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury
Everton: Alex Iwobi has been pencilled in to return for this game though there has been no confirmation of an update. Other than their long term absentees, he is the only doubt for the club and they have no new injuries coming into this game.
West Ham vs Everton Head to Head:
Last season Everton won this game 2-0.
In the league since 2007 West Ham have only 1 win over Everton when they have been at home. It happened in 2018.
In the last 26 league meetings only 1 match has finished 0-0.
West Ham vs Everton Prediction:
The Carlo Ancelotti new manager effect seems stronger and maybe even more genuine than David Moyes with West Ham. That isn’t meant as a lack of respect it is just that Moyes has already had one stint at West Ham, and has already somewhat harshly been deemed not to be good enough for the club, so his appointment strikes one as an odd choice to make for the Hammers at this time.
Ancelotti has been able to inject confidence into certain players. Richarlison seems to have woken from his slumber and Yerry Mina who had come from Barcelona just seems more motivated now he has a world class manager telling him what to do. In no way is this an easy game for Everton though and we think focusing on other markets might be the safer option in this unpredictable fixture.
West Ham vs Everton Betting Tips:
Both teams to score (Yes) at 1.66
Anytime goalscorer: Richarlison at 2.50
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