Premier League: Can Return-To-Form Teams Maintain Momentum?

West Ham United vs Liverpool

This was a top six Premier League clash last term.

Not so now as Liverpool struggle to recapture the form which led to them finishing runners-up and West Ham do all they can to avoid getting embroiled in a relegation battle.

In recent weeks, though, there have been more Premier League highlights for both sides to enjoy as they aim to finish the campaign on a high.

When they meet on Wednesday night, something may have to give as the Hammers look to stretch their unbeaten run to four league games and the Merseysiders aim for a third straight win for the first time in 2023.

Talking Points

A return to form for West Ham saw them seal a vital 4-0 victory at Bournemouth on Sunday to boost their survival chances.

That was preceded by a ‘lift-off’ success at Fulham, fighting back from two down to draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal, and following it up with a 5-2 aggregate win against Gent in the Europa Conference League.

While relegation remains a distinct possibility, those concerns have been significantly eased with that clinical display on the south coast where first-half goals by Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta and Declan Rice put them in control.

Pablo Fornals, on as a substitute, added a fourth midway through the second half to help West Ham to move up to 13th and six points clear of the bottom three.

There has been talk of a change of manager in the summer with Lille’s Paulo Fonseca identified as a potential replacement for David Moyes, who is likely to part company with the club at the end of the season.

Whether or not they do make a change, the Scot could well finish with a flourish which would be a fitting end after he has restored his own and the club’s reputation in recent seasons.

In the other dugout on Wednesday is another manager who has far more credit in the bank but has had to deal with speculation over his own future of late.

It does seem certain that Jurgen Klopp is going nowhere though as he commits to next season and his men still in contention for a top six finish after a 3-2 success over spirited Nottingham Forest on Saturday helped their position.

A win in London and their hopes will increase further.

Or can Moyes, who spent a decade in the blue half of Merseyside, upset them again?

History

On 80 occasions have Liverpool defeated West Ham, ever since their first meeting in the 1901 FA Cup.

That includes the league meeting at Anfield earlier this season when a solitary goal from Darwin Nunez was enough and the Hammers missed a penalty.

The corresponding fixture last term though saw the Hammers victorious in a five-goal thriller as Kurt Zouma netted the winner which, at the time, propelled Moyes’ team to third.

Overall, there have been 29 wins for the east Londoners and 37 draws.

As respective league and cup winners, they did clash in the 1964 Charity Shield at Wembley when the teams played out a 2-2 draw at Anfield with the home side managed by Bill Shankly and future England manager Ron Greenwood at the helm of the Hammers.

They also met in the Charity Shield in 1980, a match won 1-0 by Liverpool, and their most famous game was in the 1981 League Cup Final.

In a compelling finish, Alan Kennedy thought he had won it for Liverpool with a 118^th minute goal only for Ray Stewart to equalise with a penalty in the final minute of extra-time.

That led to a replay at Villa Park where goals from Scottish duo Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen secured a 2-1 Merseyside win after Paul Goddard had put West Ham in front.

Betting Tip

Assessing the SBOTOP Premier League betting odds, West Ham are available to back at what would be a worthwhile 1X2 @ 3.55 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.35.

The visitors are favourites, priced 1X2 @ 1.89 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.16.

A re-run of last season’s encounter at the London Stadium will ensure you enjoy a pay day of @ 40.00 with Correct Score.

If you want to opt for goals, then how about Total Goal 0-1 @ 4.10, 2-3 @ 1.98, 4-6 @ 2.99 and Over 3.00 goals @ 2.17.

After taking seven points out of nine, West Ham are well on the road to safety and another point or two should leave them in a healthy position as they prepare to focus their attention on a Europa Conference semi-final against AZ Alkmaar.

I have considered the 1X2 Draw @ 3.45 but I do think the Merseysiders will edge this as they continue their bid for Europe.

 

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