West Ham vs Everton Match Preview – Barclays Premier League

West Ham take on Everton this Saturday (22nd) at 15:00 GMT+0 at the Boleyn Ground.  Both teams have been playing well recently however their stats assume otherwise.  West Ham have managed to win two of their last seven games however three defeats were against Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.  Everton’s form on paper looks much better, they have only lost one of their last seven having avoided defeat against Manchester City and Arsenal.

Everton currently sit 6th in the Barclays Premier League and a win could take them to 3rd if results elsewhere go in their favour.  West Ham are 11th, just four points behind Everton and a win could see them go 8th depending on other matches taking place this weekend.

Both teams face a tough Christmas period with three matches taking place over a 7 day period.  West Ham should view this game as a springboard going into the Christmas period as they travel to Reading and face Norwich at home which are winnable games for the Hammers.  Everton will face Wigan, Chelsea and Newcastle over the Christmas period and with Wigan and Newcastle struggling they may also view this as an opportunity to cement their place in the top 6 of the league.

Both teams have injury problems.  West Ham will be without influential forward Andy Carroll who is out with a knee injury and is expected to return in February.  They will also be without Ricardo Vaz Te who dislocated his shoulder – his return date is unkown.  Mohamed Diame, who has been exceptional this season for West Ham is out with a hamstring injury.  Everton will be without Tony Hibbert, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Neville.

Recent History says an Everton win (Everton 17 wins, West Ham 6, Draw 10) however with key players missing and West Ham performing well at home, this may turn out to be a very difficult afternoon for Everton.

Current betting odds – West Ham (15/8) Draw (9/4) Everton (6/4)

Gamingtips Prediction – West Ham 2:1 Everton

Both teams will be without key players but West Ham have been very good at home this season and 15/8 seems reasonable for a team who managed to defeat Chelsea at the Boleyn Ground recently.