West Ham vs Arsenal – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

West Ham host Arsenal . David Moyes’ side suffered a third straight loss on Sunday and will hope to bounce back. The Gunners haven’t won the league cup in 30 years but this competition is a low priority for Arteta’s team. The Hammers are winless in eight matches vs Arsenal with six losses.

West Ham Form

The Hammers started this season well with just two defeats in their first 11 fixtures in all competitions. Those losses were both emphatic 3-1 setbacks against Man City and Liverpool. Those defeats were preceded by 10 points from the first four league matches.

After a 2-0 home win over Sheffield United, they won 2-1 away at Freiburg in the Europa League. A 2-2 home draw with Newcastle saw them score late to rescue a point. West Ham have lost their last three matches. A 4-1 humbling at Aston Villa preceded a 2-1 loss away to Olympiakos with a heavily rotated team. On Sunday, they were beaten 1-0 at home by Everton.

West Ham Team News

Moyes has a big squad and is set to rotate heavily in this match. Emerson was suspended for the Everton match but should start at left back. Angelo Ogbonna and Konstantinos Mavropanos will play at centre back and Thilo Kehrer will play at right back.

Tomas Soucek, Danny Ings, and Pablo Fornals are others who are hoping to start. Ben Johnson and Max Cornet are two fringe players who may get very rare opportunities in the starting XI.

West Ham Motivation

Even at home, David Moyes could set up like the away side. Don’t expect the Hammers to have much of the ball in this one.

With the demands of the Europa League, this isn’t a top priority. A semi-final is good motivation, and the fringe players will hope to impress more than they did in Greece last Thursday.

Arsenal Form

Arsenal have won 10 of their 14 matches this season. Their three league matches with dropped points were all 2-2 draws: at home to Fulham and Tottenham having held leads, and away to Chelsea are trailing 2-0. Their sole defeat was a complacent 2-1 loss at Lens in Champions League matchday two.

That defeat preceded a late and crucial 1-0 home win over Man City to end a 12-match losing streak against Pep Guardiola’s side. The Chelsea draw came next and then a fine 2-1 win away to Sevilla in Europa to take control of Group B. On Saturday, the Gunners thrashed Sheffield United 5-0 with Eddie Nketiah netting a hattrick.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta has three players ruled out through injury. Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, and long-term injury victim Jurrien Timber will play no part. With the busy fixture list, plenty of rotation is expected for this match with a trip to Newcastle on Saturday. Aaron Ramsdale will play in goal and both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel are expected to start at the back.

Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are expected to start, allowing Declan Rice a rare rest. Fabio Veira could complete the midfield. Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson are certain starters in the front three and Kai Havertz could play down the middle to keep Eddie Nketiah fresh for St. James’ Park.

Arsenal Motivation

The Gunners will take this match relatively seriously. Realistically, this competition is at the bottom of the priority list though.

Arsenal won’t have to worry about extra time in this round. A draw and going to penalties is quite possible and would avoid fatigue at least.

Key Stats

West Ham have lost 6 of their last 8 matches vs Arsenal (2 draws)

West Ham have lost their last 3 matches in all competitions.

Arsenal have won 6 of their last 8 away matches.

Arsenal have seen Both Teams Score + Over 2.5 goals in their last 3 away matches.

Verdict

This match may come down to the quality of the starting XIs selected. We could see two heavily weakened lineups. Arsenal still look the more likely to win with their experience in midfield. Jorginho could be on penalty duty and may be a good punt to score anytime.