Verdict: Everton win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
Still look for their first points of the season, Manuel Pellegrini’s struggling West Ham side will travel to Merseyside on Sunday afternoon when they face an Everton side yet to be beaten so far this season.
Everton
Starting with the hosts, although it was a difficult start during their first pre-season under former Watford boss Marco Silva, Everton have battled back well and are enjoying an impressive start to the new season. Although The Toffees are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield before the international break, The Blues are yet to be beaten in any competition this season. While top scorer Richarlison will be suspended, Everton have also been in fine goalscoring form at Goodison Park. Scoring six goals in their three matches at home this year, Silva’s side have now only failed to find the net once in 2018. Along with winning the reverse fixture against The Hammers 4-0, Everton have only lost one of their last 12 meetings at home to West Ham, a run the stems back to 2005.
Team News
Idrissa Gueye, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes, Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane, James McCarthy and Walcott are all doubts ahead of the game
Despite scoring three goals in his opening two games, summer signing Richarlison is serving the last match of his three-game suspension.
West Ham
as for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, although West Ham broke the bank this summer spending over £100million on new recruits, it has been an incredibly difficult start to the season. Coming off the back of a 1-0 loss at home to Wolves in extra time, The Hammers have now lost all four of their opening games this season, they’re also the only Premier League side still in search of their first point of the season. Conceding 68 goals last season, holding the joint worst defensive record, along with relegated Swansea, the East London side have already conceded 10 goals this season, more than any other side. While forward Marko Arnautovic has scored their only two goals, West Ham’s attacking signings have failed to gel and they lack a creative spark in the final third. Losing the reverse fixture 4-0 at Goodison Park last season, on paper, it looks like it could be another tough afternoon for Pellegrini’s side.
Team News
Manuel Pellegrini will have left-back Arthur Masuaku avaiavble on Sunday after recovering from a muscle injury.
West Ham will, however, be without long-term injury absentees Winston Reid, Andy Carroll, and Manuel Lanzizi.
Key Factors to Consider
- The last time the two sides met at Goodison Park, West Ham lost 4-0.
- West Ham have lost their opening four games of the season, the last time that happened was under Avram Grant, they were also relegated that year.
- Manuel Pellegrini’s side have already conceded 10 goals this season, the worst defensive record in the Premier League.
- Everton are yet to be beaten in any competition this season.
- The Blues have also scored in all bar one of their home matches in 2018.
Conclusion
Two sides who have endured very different starts to the season, Marco Silva will be confident of carrying on Everton’s unbeaten run. Boasting a stellar record against The Hammers that has seen them lose just one match at Goodison in the last 13 years, it seems that this could be another difficult afternoon for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. Also failing to find the net in their last two matches on Merseyside, we’re backing West Ham to slump to their fifth defeat in as many games.
Verdict: Everton win
Best Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: Bet365
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