Prediction: West Ham vs Arsenal

Verdict: Arsenal win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make another Premier League statement on Sunday afternoon, Arsenal will make the trip across London when they meet West Ham.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, forced to settle for what was an uninspiring 1-1 draw away at Gent earlier in the week when opening their Conference League quarter-final adventure, West Ham have come under real scrutiny this season. While the Hammers might have been last seen in Premier League action snatching a crucial 1-0 win away at Fulham, David Moyes finds himself under a huge amount of pressure at the London Stadium. Still at the heart of a shock relegation scrap, the one-time Manchester United boss will know that his side faces a monumental challenge on Sunday afternoon. Suffering a 3-1 loss when they travel to north London for their reverse meeting against Arsenal on Boxing Day, it should be noted that West Ham have collected just a single point from any of their last seven Premier League meetings against the leading title contenders.

Team News

West Ham have confirmed that Italian international striker Gianluca Scammaca will undergo knee surgery and looks set to miss the remainder of the season. Danny Ings will be hoping to keep his place up top after finding the net against Gent in midweek.

Likewise, making a cameo appearance off the bench while on Conference League duties in midweek, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta will be handed a full recall and looks set to partner Declan Rice.

Arsenal

As for the visitors, while Arsenal might have been disappointed after only collecting a 2-2 draw away at Anfield last weekend, the Gunners are still sat in pole position to make Premier League history this season. Holding a six-point buffer at the top of the table and with their sights set on lifting a first domestic crown since 2004, Mikel Arteta’s high-flying squad should be smelling the chance to make another top-flight statement on Sunday afternoon. Only continuing to shine on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last eight domestic appearances – a run that stems back to February 15th. Claiming a deserved 3-1 romp when they welcomed West Ham to the Emirates for their reverse Premier League meeting on Boxing Day, Arteta will be calling for a repeat performance from his title contenders this weekend.

Team News

Arteta will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Eddie Nketiah, William Saliba, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny when his side travel to the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Now recording three Premier League strikes in back-to-back appearances, ex-Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus will spearhead Arsenal’s charge this weekend. The Brazilian international will be joined in attack by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on Boxing Day, Arsenal picked up a 3-1 victory at the Emirates.
• In fact, Arteta’s side have won each of their last three top-flight meetings against Sunday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 7-2.
• Likewise, the Gunners have collected 19 points from their last seven Premier League meetings against West Ham.
• Arsenal have lost just a single domestic showdown in east London since way back in November 2016.
• Four of the last five Premier League meetings between West Ham and Arsenal have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Although Arsenal might have been disappointed after only collecting a single point at Anfield last weekend, the Gunners will be smelling the chance to make another Premier League statement on Sunday afternoon. Claiming a 3-1 romp when they welcomed West Ham to the Emirates for their reverse meeting on Boxing Day, Arteta’s high-flying squad also hold a rampant record against their London rivals. Collecting 19 points from their last seven top-flight meetings against the Hammers, Arsenal are rightfully tipped as a standout pick this weekend. Suffering just a single defeat in east London since way back in 2006, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable away victory this weekend.

Verdict: Arsenal win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Unibet