Arsenal FC – West Ham United
The year is slowly but surely coming to an end and the 19th matchday is coming up in the Premier League. Unlike here in Germany, where the Bundesliga is still at rest until mid-January, the Premier League was already in full swing on Boxing Day. And there are still two games on the island on December 28. Among others, a London derby awaits us. Find out who will prevail in this heated duel in our Arsenal – West Ham betting tip.
And it’s not just the local proximity that makes this clash explosive. A look at the table also reveals a real top match. The visitors from the east of the city are getting better and better after a rather mixed start to the season and have only lost one of their last seven league games. The Irons were in sixth place before the start of the matchday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are building on their strong first half of the previous season and greeted Christmas Eve from the top of the table. The Gunners also snatched an important 1-1 draw in the top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool before Christmas. However, the Reds’ victory over Burnley on Boxing Day means Arsenal are now under pressure again
Arsenal – West Ham Info:
- Date & Time: 28.12.2023, 21:15 hrs.
- Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
- Competition: Premier League, Matchday 19
- TV broadcast: Sky
Arsenal Form & Balance Check
In the previous season, Arsenal rose from the ashes like the Phoenix and narrowly missed out on their first English championship since 2004. And this season, the team from north London is once again playing at the very top. The Champions League group was no problem for the Gunners. Arsenal will then face Porto in the round of 16 in February.
In the league, meanwhile, the Gunners were top of the table over Christmas. However, after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Burnley, coach Arteta’s men slipped back down to second place in the table. Arsenal will now be looking to regain the throne in their clash with West Ham.
Rice against old love
The Bavarians were desperate to sign a holding six in the summer and were also interested in Declan Rice. In the end, however, Arsenal won the bid and signed the England international for a transfer fee of well over €100 million.
However, the high transfer fee does not appear to be a burden for the 24-year-old. Rice immediately developed into an anchor in the Gunners’ midfield and has yet to miss a single game in the Premier League. On Thursday, the midfielder will face his old club, for whom he played a total of 245 games, for the first time in the league
Arsenal facts & analysis
- In 2nd place in the Premier League
- Best defense in the league
- Last played 1:1 against Liverpool
West Ham Form & Balance Check
The Irons are making their third consecutive European appearance this season. In the previous season, however, West Ham fluffed their Premier League campaign and only qualified for Europe by winning the Conference League. This season, the aim is to climb back up the Premier League table.
And so far, things are going much better for the east Londoners in the domestic league. The Irons have lost just one of their last seven league games and also won 2-0 against Manchester United just before Christmas, leaving West Ham in 7th place in the table
Bowen in the center
The striker position has been a real problem for the Irons for years. Even this season, the East Londoners’ center forwards are not exactly covering themselves in glory. Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, who were originally planned for this position, have only scored two goals between them in the Premier League.
However, manager David Moyes has recently opted for a different player up front. Winger Jarrod Bowen has been deployed as a central striker in recent games and has done a very respectable job in this position. The 27-year-old has already scored eleven Premier League goals and has only failed to score once in his last four games
West Ham facts & analysis
- Seventh place in the Premier League
- Four away wins this season
- Reigning Conference League winners
Predicted lineup – last update on December 27, 2023
We don’t expect much rotation in Arsenal’s starting eleven. However, Leandro Trossard could move into the starting line-up on the left wing on Thursday. Germany’s Kai Havertz is also missing with a yellow card.
David Moyes is likely to send his team out onto the pitch again with a 4-2-3-1. Jarrod Bowen will once again play up front for the Irons. With the exception of the injured Michail Antonio, West Ham will have all their players available on Thursday
Arsenal – West Ham head-to-head & stats
Arsenal have mostly held the upper hand in the 120 duels so far. The Gunners have won 63 matches, while the Irons have won 25. These two teams have already met once this season in the EFL Cup. On that occasion, West Ham won 3-1.
- Ten points separate the two teams in the league
- West Ham’s last win at Arsenal was on 09.08.2015
- When West Ham United lead 1-0 in away matches, they win 75% of those matches
