Prediction: West Ham vs Everton

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves 

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperately seeking some kind of boost on Saturday afternoon, West Ham will welcome Everton the the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, while West Ham might have only appointed Julen Lopetegui over the summer, the former Wolves boss has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. With reports suggesting that the Spanish tactician could be removed from the London Stadium dugout if his downbeat squad produce another poor performance here, the Hammers have come under plenty of scrutiny this season. Although they might have signed off October with a controversial 2-1 victory at home against Manchester United, West Ham came crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion last weekend. Eventually falling to a woeful 3-0 drumming at the hands of Nottingham Forest, Lopetegui’s side have registered just a trio of wins from any of their first 10 Premier League appearances. Likewise, crashing out of the EFL Cup on September 25th following a 5-1 defeat away at Liverpool, the Hammers are scrapping it out at the foot of the table and looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap.

Team News

Enduring what has been a real struggle since arriving from Borussia Dortmund over the summer and yet to make a single appearance since the end of August, Niclas Fullkrug is not expected to feature here. The Hammers will also be without Ghana international Mohamed Kudus as the former Ajax star is still serving a suspension.

Likewise, shown a pair of first-half bookings at the City Ground, Edson Alvarez will also serve a one-match ban. However, Saturday’s hosts remain hopeful that Tomas Soucek will be able to make a full return after missing out away at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Everton

As for the visitors, although Everton might have claimed a much-needed boost on either side of October’s international break, Sean Dyche’s side missed out on a golden opportunity last weekend. Eventually falling to a 1-0 loss away at leading relegation contenders Southampton, the Blues are desperately seeking an immediate response here. However, despite watching their five-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end last time out, the former Burnley boss has also received plenty of criticism this season. Putting just a pair of points on the board from any of their first 10 Premier League appearances, Saturday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their extended struggles away from Goodison Park. Despite claiming a much-needed 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Ipswich on October 19th, that is the only Premier League victory that Dyche’s side have recorded on their travels over the past 11 months.

Team News

Still yet to make a single appearance since completing a season-long loan switch from Chelsea, Armando Broja is not expected to be part of Everton’s squad here. Likewise, still dealing with a back injury and not featuring over the past month, one-time Manchester United starlet James Garner remains a doubt.

While Dominic Calvert-Lewin might have failed to find the net in any of his previous six consecutive Premier League appearances, the England international will lead Everton’s charge. Defensive talisman Jarrad Branthwaite could make a first start since September 28th.

Key Factors to Consider

• When West Ham and Everton last met back on March 2nd, the Hammers picked up a 3-1 victory at Goodison Park.
• However, Everton have lost just a pair of their previous six trips to the London Stadium.
• West Ham have remarkably recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet since way back on January 2nd.
• Everton have registered just a sole Premier League victory away from Goodison Park over the past 11 months.
• West Ham and Everton have conceded a combined tally of 36 Premier League goals so far this season.

Conclusion

Two sides who are desperately seeking some kind of boost this weekend, we could be set for a cagey affair from the London Stadium. With both West Ham and Everton continuing to show a string of glaring defensive issues this season, chances could fall at both ends of the pitch here. With the Hammers mustering just a single Premier League clean sheet since the start of January, it is no secret that Lopetegui faces a must-win showdown in east London.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet