Prediction: West Ham vs Fulham

Verdict: Rodrigo Muniz over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Facing what is a real must-win affair on Sunday afternoon, West Ham will welcome Fulham to the London Stadium.

West Ham

Starting with the hosts, eventually slumping to a routine 2-0 Europa League defeat away at German high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the week, West Ham have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability since opening the New Year. With their European ambitions now hanging by a thread, David Moyes’ men have recorded just four victories from any of their previous 18 straight appearances across all competitions. Although the Hammers might have snatched a dramatic late 2-1 victory away at Wolves last weekend, the one-time Manchester United boss will have a major headache over his side’s glaring defensive issues. Marking their return from March’s international break with an infamous collapse at St. James’ Park as they fell to a 4-3 loss, West Ham have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 14 domestic showdowns.

Team News

Missing out away at Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the week with a back issue, attacking talisman Jarrod Bowen will once again miss out on Sunday afternoon. While the duo of Emerson Palmieri and Lucas Paqueta are set to serve domestic European suspensions next week, both are free to feature at the London Stadium.

Mexico international Edson Alvarez will make a full return this weekend and start at the heart of Moyes’ midfield. Bagging two goals in his previous four Premier League appearances, 34-year-old Michail Antonio will spearhead the Hammers’ charge in east London.

Fulham

As for the visitors, although Fulham might have entered March’s international break with a stunning 3-0 romp at home against Tottenham, the Cottagers have failed to use that performance as a platform to build on. Suffering late heartbreak last week as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Newcastle, Marco Silva’s men have collected just a single point from their previous three Premier League appearances. While the west London outfit might have opened the New Year with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, they have continued to show some extended issues away from Craven Cottage. Last seen on their travels slumping to a shock 3-1 drumming at the hands of Nottingham Forest, Fulham have recorded just a single Premier League victory on their travels since a 1-0 win against Everton on the opening weekend.

Team News

Reporting a clean bill of health ahead of Sunday’s trip to the London Stadium, Fulham have no injury concerns or suspensions to worry about this weekend. While Tosin Adarabioyo’s contract might be set to expire this summer, the 26-year-old will partner Calvin Bassey at the heart of Silva’s defence.

Heavily linked with a blockbuster move away from Craven Cottage this summer and notching eight Premier League goals since the start of January, the red-hot Rodrigo Muniz will spearhead Silva’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When West Ham and Fulham met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 10th, the Cottagers picked up a stunning 5-0 romp in west London.
• However, Fulham have recorded just a single Premier League victory on their travels since the opening weekend of the 2023/24 campaign.
• West Ham have won just four of their previous 18 appearances across all competitions.
• Rodrigo Muniz has scored eight Premier League goals since the start of February.
• West Ham have recorded just a single Premier League victory at the London Stadium since opening the New Year.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a stunning 5-0 romp when they welcomed West Ham to Craven Cottage for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 10th, Fulham will be desperate to spring another major upset here. Although Silva’s men might have continued to show some inconsistencies since returning from March’s international break, the red-hot Rodrigo Muniz will be confident of testing a Hammers defence that have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous last 14 domestic showdowns across all competitions.

Verdict: Rodrigo Muniz over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet