Latest EPL standings as well as fixtures and results are found below the predictions.
West Ham and Arsenal headline the English Premier League weekend when they clash in a capital city derby on Sunday at the London Stadium.
The pair lock horns as one of just four EPL fixtures, with the attention split between league action and the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Arsenal are in the uncomfortably unfamiliar position of having to gawp up at their London rivals, with the hosts flying high in fifth in the Premier League table.
The Gunners are enduring ‘one of those seasons’ again, sitting tenth in the pile coming into the weekend, albeit having cobbled together a brighter run of form in recent weeks.
Mikel Arteta’s side even came out on top of their North London Derby with Tottenham last Sunday, bolstering a draw away to Burnley and a notable 3-1 success at Leicester.
It’s likely to come too late for a European qualification push and almost certainly the top four, which remains ten points away, but there are green shoots of recovery nonetheless at the Emirates Stadium.
They will likely have to do without the experience of Willian, who missed out on Europa League action in the week thanks to a calf problem.
Youngster Bukayo Saka has also been bothered by a muscle problem, while Arteta must decide whether to restore Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the starting line up following his stint on the naughty step for a breach of discipline.
West Ham are, remarkably enough, right in contention for Champions League qualification.
Even defeats away to Manchester duo City and United in their last three matches hasn’t ruined their season, with red-hot London rivals Chelsea just above in fourth and outgoing champions Liverpool flagging below in sixth.
Boss David Moyes and his side now make a welcome return to home turf in the Olympic Park, where the Hammers have won three on the spin against Sheffield United, Tottenham and Leeds.
They will also have in-form Jesse Lingard at their disposal, with the on-loan forward having been barred from facing parent club Manchester United last weekend.
Pablo Fornals would be an added bonus if he could recover in time, while Ryan Fredericks is also doubtful for the home side.
Andriy Yarmolenko, Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna are all on the casualty list.
West Ham vs Arsenal: By the numbers
- Coming into this game, West Ham United has picked up 9 points from the last 5 games, both home and away. That’s 1.8 points per game on average. BTTS has landed in just 2 of those games. West Ham United has scored 8 times in the last 5 fixtures.
- West Ham United is in great form, and the home fans will be loving it. They have won the last 3 games that they have played at home.
- Arsenal’s defence will have to be at their best today if they’re to stop West Ham United from scoring. The home side has scored in the last 13 games in front of their own fans. They have failed to score in 1 home matches this season.
- Just 2 of the last 5 games for West Ham United has ended with both teams scoring. They have won 3 of those 5 games. Overall, BTTS has landed in 15/28 games for West Ham United this season.
- Coming into this game, Arsenal has picked up 10 points from the last 5 games, both home and away. That’s 2 points per game on average. BTTS has landed in an intriguing 4 of those games. Arsenal has scored 10 times in the last 5 fixtures.
- Arsenal has enjoyed playing away from home recently, with the side currently unbeaten in 2 games.
- Arsenal has put together a good run of form and has now gone 3 games without defeat.
- Arsenal will be looking to keep up the momentum today against West Ham United, having lost just 1 game from the last 5. They have won 3 and drawn 1
- Arsenal has fired blanks in 10 games this season. That’s 36% of games where they have not been able to find the back of the net. Do they need a new forward? In the last 5 games, they have scored an intriguing 10 goals.
- In the last 5 matches for Arsenal, 4 of those games has ended with both teams scoring. This season 13 matches (46% of all matches) involving Arsenal has seen BTTS landing.
Stats source: footystats.org
West Ham vs Arsenal: Prediction
Prediction methodology explained: The expected win percentage is based off publicly available odds. For example, if a team’s odds are 2.30, the expected chance of winning is 43%. If the odds are 1.62 the expected chance of winning is 62% and so on. These are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Where there is no value listed, the odds were not available at the time of writing.
West Ham vs Arsenal: EPL starting XI prediction
Probable West Ham Starting XI: Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Aaron Cresswell, Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Manuel Lanzini, Jesse Lingard, Michail Antonio.
Probable Arsenal Starting XI: Bernd Leno, Cedric Soares, David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Nicolas Pepe, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Alexandre Lacazette.
Get all the English Premier League predictions, fixtures and results for 19-21 March here.