West Ham United Vs Arsenal Betting – Sunday 25th October

Kick-off: 16:15 GMT

Venue: Upton Park

TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1

West Ham United  

League Position: 19th

Recent Form: LLLDL

After surpassing all expectations last season, the pressure was really on Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke to fulfil another memorable season. Although this season is proving memorable, it’s for all the wrong reasons as West Ham have opened up a drastic run of seven games without a win. It’s now been over 639 hours since West Ham last won a league fixture and if this dire streak isn’t put to bed soon, West Ham could find themselves in a situation similar to Hull City, where wins are simply too hard to come by due to the players severely lacking in inner confidence.

However, confidence might not be the problem right now, although a little rub of the green may help. Their last league outing seen them put in a very good performance away at Stoke City, a notable tough away venue. The Hammers did lack that cutting edge though and their lack of composure at the back lead to their Brittania demise.

Matthew Upson has been a rock at the back for West Ham for some time now but even he is starting to make rash decisions and the England centre-half gave away a rash penalty just minutes after the game kicked-off. Upson did put right his wrongs when he headed home a a Mark Noble cross but West Ham’s defensive frailties were evident once again as James Beattie scored Stoke’s winner, leaving the Hammers pointless for the fifth time this season.

When you’re desperate for a victory, a game with Arsenal is not really what you need, especially as this is a derby clash. However, West Ham have no choice but to approach this game in the mindset of this being a must win game as another defeat could see them spend the rest of the week rooted to the very bottom of the table. You would feel that should inspire the Hammers to a big display at home to the Gunners but with results simply not going their way, we wouldn’t put anyone off backing an Arsenal victory, leading to West Ham’s win less drought extending to eight games.

Arsenal 

League Position: 4th

Recent Form: LWWWW

Arsenal are shaping up as serious title contenders this season and their 3-1 victory at home to Birmingham last Saturday took their point tally to 18 for the season, just four behind leaders Manchester United, with a game in hand over their bitter rivals. What’s more, Arsenal have now gone on a four match winning streak and they are the in form side at current, a big problem for their London rivals; West Ham United, who have been left with the task of ending Arsenal winning run.

Arsene Wenger will be bitterly disappointed that his side of youth and potential couldn’t cling onto their 1-0 advantage in Holland on Wednesday. A lack of concentration was the reason why Arsenal conceded the latest of equalisers to draw the game 1-1. However, even despite the draw, Arsenal still find themselves in a prominent position both in the Champions League and in the Premiership, so it’s all starting to look rosy for Arsenal fans.

Victories over Wigan Athletic (4-0), Fulham (0-1), Blackburn Rovers (6-2) & Birmingham City (3-1), means Arsenal have now won four on the spin while in league action, scoring a whopping 14 goals and conceded just the three. They have taken maximum points from the month of October thus far and they will be keen to bolster their point tally once more as they make the short trip across the capital to Upton Part, the home of West Ham United.

Arsenal’s record at West Ham is very good, losing just one of their last visits and winning on their previous two outings at Upton Park. The Gunners haven’t conceded a goal against West Ham in their last four encounters with the Hammers, well over 460 minutes of play, so the confidence within the Arsenal camp of attaining another set of vital three points will be very high, although injuries to Nicklas Bendtner & Eduardo will hamper their forward options, although they did manage just fine without them last weekend, scoring three past Birmingham City.

Head-to-Head:

West Ham United W: 3 Arsenal W: 4 Draws: 3

Arsenal don’t generally have a good record over the Hammers, although, their last two visits to Upton Park has produced two victories for Arsene Wenger’s side. They beat West Ham 2-0 last season and 1-0 the season before, meaning Arsenal have scored three goals and conceded none in their last two games at Upton Park. West Ham’s last home success over Arsenal came back in the 2006/2007 season when they recorded a 1-0 victory over their London rivals.

Match Verdict:- Arsenal to WIN – 1.53 SkyBet

Four wins from four means Arsenal are one of the inform sides in the country right now and we highly fancy them to deliver the goods once again at Upton Park. Their previous two visits to West Ham has bared fruit, and with West Ham struggling for form of their own, everything points towards a comfortable away win for the Gunners. The 1-1 draw with AZ in midweek wasn’t the most ideal of results to take into a London derby but the still have all the momentum heading into this fixture.

Match Odds:

West Ham United – 7.0 Bet365 

Draw – 4.3 totesport 

Arsenal – 1.53 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Arsenal to WIN to NIL – 2.62 888Sport