West Ham United vs Arsenal
Before the Premier League heads to a rare two-week sojourn due to the international break, this has all the ingredients for a Sunday afternoon encounter to enjoy.
And if you had told me at the start of the season it would be a meeting of the sides in fifth and 10th places respectively, I would never have predicted it would be this way round.
Yet we here are and it is West Ham who have the advantage over their London rivals by five places – and seven points – leading to those of a Hammers allegiance to dream of possible European football next term.
Realistically, Arsenal’s best chances of securing a European berth will come via the Europa League – a competition in which they reached the quarterfinals in midweek.
That’s not to say they can’t spark a late-season league surge by delivering Premier League 2021 highlights starting this weekend.
So who are you backing in the east end of London?
Talking Points
West Ham will certainly want to show more bite than they managed at Manchester United last weekend when their lack of ambition until falling behind arguably cost them a decent result.
By contrast, Arsenal fell behind and came storming back to win the North London derby – a match in which Mikel Arteta showed who is boss and made a real statement of intent to his star player as he attempts to guide the club back to glory days.
The Hammers have had a week off and will almost certainly show more attacking intent and threat this Sunday, although that may help Arsenal’s game plan too.
Their improvement this season has been reflected by the fact that duo Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will go head-to-head at this year’s London Football Awards after both being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Year.
In addition, Jesse Lingard – who missed last weekend against his parent club – will be back and keen to continue the form which earned him a surprise England call-up this week.
Pablo Fornals, Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko all remain out due to injury.
Likewise, Arsenal have seen talented youngster Bukayo Saka called up for international duty. He has impressed management and pundits alike as a prospect of genuine pedigree.
Saya was one of a number of players who was missing as Arsenal scraped past Olympiakos on Thursday night and it may be touch and go if he makes it.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was dropped from the Gunners’ last league fixture for a breach of club protocol, is expected to start.
Arteta has called for his side to demonstrate better game management of late, while Moyes is keen to prove wrong those who still doubt his credentials at this level.
A win on Sunday would be a step in the right direction for both men who need no introduction. Moyes managed Arteta at Everton from 2005 to 2011 and made the midfielder his captain.
Will the wily Scot have the edge or has the impressive young Spaniard got his measure? We are about to find out.
History
These two have traditionally enjoyed a ding-dong battle.
The Gunners, historically, have had the edge with 69 victories compared to West Ham’s 35 triumphs. A further 39 meetings have been drawn.
That record is backed up recently too with West Ham emerging victorious in only one of their last 11 clashes. That came two seasons ago when they won 1-0 at home in front of their elated fans.
I fondly recall a six-goal thriller nearly four years ago when Andy Carroll was the hero with an eight minute hat-trick.
West Ham have generally though found Arsenal a tough nut to crack and lost this fixture 3-1 last season.
Although Angelo Ogbanna netted the opener, two goals in six second half minutes from Gabriel Martinelli and Pepe put the Gunners in the ascendancy before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made the game safe.
Betting Tip
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West Ham United vs Arsenal | 1X2 Draw @ 3.20 |
| March 21, 11:00(GMT+8) |
Arsenal have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds but there’s not much in it.
The Gunners are available to back with Asian Handicap odds -0.25 @ 2.17 and 1X2 @ 2.45, while West Ham are on offer 1X2 @ 2.86 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.49.
If the Gunners are to repeat last season’s win, correct score 1-3 will pay out @ 22.00.
To me, this has a few goals in it and total goal 2-3 @ 1.90 would be my safe bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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