West Ham United vs Everton
There’s a whole lot riding on the Premier League fixture between West Ham United and Everton when the two teams meet on Sunday afternoon, particularly for David Moyes and co.
The race for the European places will be the last one to be resolved in the Premier League and West Ham are the surprise package, in with a genuine chance of making the top four.
Moyes takes on his former club, and the latest Premier League 2021 betting odds give his current side the edge.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has plenty of talent at his disposal, but the Toffees have struggled to maintain their own challenge and their season is at risk of fizzling out.
But that’s when a team can be at its most dangerous.
Talking Points
West Ham aim to gatecrash the big boys’ party
Moyes led Everton to a top four finish in 2005. But the Hammers boss says if his current side can finish fourth, it will be an even bigger achievement.
On that occasion, the Toffees cruelly missed out on a Champions League place because Liverpool won the European competition to qualify automatically and shunt their neighbours out of the picture.
That episode still rankles in the blue half of Merseyside and it must have been an irritant to Moyes too after he upset the big boys only to be kicked out of the party anyway.
And with all the recent shenanigans of the English League’s self appointed ‘Big Six’ trying to break away in a European Super League, the Hammers would simply love to sneak into the top four at the expense of let’s say, Chelsea.
Thomas Tuchel’s Blues face champions elect Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon in a game that the Sky Blues need to win to confirm their title.
And if they do, then West Ham can draw level with Chelsea if they can beat Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton.
For sure there will be plenty of neutrals cheering them on!
West Ham have thrived under Moyes. This time last year, his team was 16th in the table – on 31 points and in a relegation scrap – and now they sit fifth on 58 points and on the brink of glory.
The Hammers came through a tricky test away to Burnley last week as Michail Antonio scored a poachers double to take his season tally onto nine league goals alongside Jesse Lingard and Tomas Soucek.
West Ham were totally dominant at Turf Moor and there are few sides who can say that having gone a goal down to Burnley.
Lingard, in particular, poses a serious threat and he’s impressed mightily with his set of Premier League 2021 highlights since his switch from Manchester to East London in the January window.
Midfield man Declan Rice is doubtful, but he is the only injury worry for Moyes as the Hammers head for the home straight.
Toffees’ Euro run comes unstuck
Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton had high hopes of a top four challenge after an explosive start to the season.
But their campaign has stuttered badly in recent weeks and a run of just one win in seven games, yielding six points from a possible 21 has left them in eighth place and just an outside chance of a Europa League place to go for.
They are a tough team to break down on the road but I’m not convinced that Europa League football is a big enough incentive for the Toffees to sprint for the line.
Top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin was at the head of the race for the Golden Boot as Ancelotti’s side reached the summit of the Premier League in Autumn, but the England striker has been anything other than prolific since Christmas and has crept up to 15 goals.
Brazilian striker Richarlison is clearly blessed with an abundance of natural talent, but he still lacks the consistency to be a top class goal scorer. Meanwhile, Colombian ace James Rodriguez has also struggled to live up to his early season hype.
Wing-back Lucas Digne has been the epitome of reliability that Ancelotti craves. He defends with assurance and a great positional sense while posing a constant threat on the wing with a fine delivery and he has contributed seven assists.
History
The Toffees have won 28 of the 53 meetings in the Premier League era with West Ham winning 11 and drawing 14.
Bur while the head-to-heads favour the visitors, the Hammers have the chance to do the double over Everton – having won the return at Goodison Park 1-0 as Soucek scored a late winner.
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