West Ham United V Liverpool

Kick-Off: Saturday 19^th September – 17:30 GMT

Venue: Upton Park

West Ham United

League Position: 13th

Recent Form: WLDL

In a game West Ham lost last season, with this fixture representing several similarities to last seasons clash, West Ham play host to a resurgent Liverpool side at Upton Park. The pair met at Upton Park last term, with this fixture back then being an evening game in front of the Setanta cameras. Setenta may have dispersed since but ESPN now have the privilege of showing this game, a match which Liverpool ran out comfortable 3-0 winners last time.

West Ham simply have to avoid a similar result as another defeat could see them drop into the bottom three for the first time this season, despite West Ham currently sitting in 13^th position. The Hammers are level on four points with five other clubs who are all hovering just above the relegation zone. Just one win in their opening four games has put West Ham in this situation and now it’s down to the players alone to dig themselves out of the early hole they are in.

Since beating Wolves 2-0 on the opening day of the season, West Ham have picked up just one point in three games, however, two of those were difficult away trips against sides of a similar calibre in Blackburn Rovers & Wigan Athletic. We mustn’t forget about West ham’s last home encounter though which seen them come up short against Tottenham Hotspur, with several mistakes costing them the game, eventually going down 2-1. Now they play the host to one of the best sides in the league and Liverpool will take full advantage of any gifts West Ham may hand them

Liverpool

League Position: 5^th

Recent Form: LWLWW

After a shakey start to the new season Liverpool appear to be on track after two wins on the spin. Victories over Bolton & Burnley will hardly strike fear into the rest of the title contenders but the wins were crucial as it keeps their dreams of winning their first league title in over 18 years firmly alive. However, with others also maintaining their winning start to the season, Liverpool can ill-afford any more slip up’s, especially against the so called beatable sides. West Ham are certainly on of those ‘beatable’ teams and we, as well as the Liverpool fans, expect Liverpool to continue their winning streak and win their third successive league game.

However, Liverpool may come into this game off the back of two league success, they were far from convincing in midweek when they took on a poor opposition in the form of Debrecen. No disrespect to the Hungarian’s but they were average on the night but Liverpool weren’t much better.Dirk Kuyt scored the only goal of the game to spare Liverpool’s blushes but another performance of that magnitude would see Liverpool struggle against a battling West Ham.

However, a big boost will be the return of both Javier Mascherano and Fabio Aurelio. The pair both played their part, albeit only small, with Mascherano getting 15 minutes and Aurelio just the two. However, the fact that both are back in the fold, especially Javier Mascherano, will be a positive for Liverpool as the defensive midfielder will always be missed when he’s not around.

Head-to-Head:

West Ham W: 1 Liverpool W: 7 Draws: 2

Liverpool have loved playing West Ham in the past, with the head-to-head clearly showing how dominate Liverpool have been in recent meetings. However, West Ham did pull off a big shock when they held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield, however, Rafael Benitez’s men exacted their revenge back at Upton Park by comprehensively beating West Ham 3-0 in London last season.

Over 2.5 Goals: 6 Under 2.5 Goals: 4

Four of the previous five meetings at Upton Park has finished with plenty of goals. There hasn’t been a goalless game at Upton Park in Liverpool’s previous eight visit to London. Games at Anfield have been a lot tighter but the affairs at Upton Park tend to be a lot more open.

Match Verdict: Liverpool to WIN – 4/7 Paddypower

Liverpool have no choice but to win here as defeat would set them back massively in their bid to close the gap on the leading pack. Two wins in two games should give Liverpool a welcome boost in confidence but West Ham are a very tough side to beat on their own turf and Gerrard & Co will have their work cut out if they are to replicate their last success at Upton Park which seen them cruise to a 3-0 victory. We fancy Liverpool to make it three wins on the spin at the expense of an improving West Ham side.

Match Odds:

West Ham United – 23/4 Expekt

Liverpool – 4/7 PaddyPower

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

SoccerBetting Tip: Yossi Benayoun to Score Anytime – 11/4 Bet365