Arsenal - West Ham United predictions and free betting tips [28/12/2023]

On Thursday, 28 December, as part of the 19th Premier League tour, Arsenal will play West Ham on their home ground. Arsenal spent Christmas atop the leaderboard, courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last Saturday, while the Hammers were victorious over Manchester United with a score line of 2-0.

Predicted Line-ups

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
West Ham: Areola; Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Bowen.

Stadium

The match will be held in London at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal

In the previous season, Arsenal came close to securing the title, but in the current campaign the Gunners are impressively stronger. Securing first place in the Premier League table, a single point ahead of trailing Liverpool, demonstrates their might. After four consecutive victories (over Burnley, Brentford, Wolverhampton and Luton), the London club surprisingly lost 1:0 to Aston Villa. Yet the Gunners immediately redeemed themselves with a home victory against Brighton (2:0) last Saturday and a draw against Liverpool (1:1).

Mikel Arteta's charges were set to break their 11-year victory drought at Anfield thanks to Gabriel Magalhães's goal in the fourth minute, but Mo Salah's precise strike levelled the score during the first half. It has been over two years since Arsenal's loss to Chelsea in August 2021, marking the last time Arsenal lost a home derby in the PL. The London team clinched the top spot in their Champions League group, setting up a round-of-16 matchup against Porto.

West Ham

This season, West Ham aims to battle for a spot in the European cups. Currently, the Hammers are seventh in the Premier League table, four points behind fifth-placed Manchester City. After a challenging period in October, the visitors resumed their upward movement, suffering only one defeat in the last seven rounds, winning five times and securing one draw. West Ham successively overcame Wolves (3:0) at home and Manchester United (2:0) last weekend - Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus scoring goals in the second half.

However, mid-last week, David Moyes's charges were crushed by Liverpool in the League Cup quarter-finals by a score of 5:1. Moreover, the Hammers have been less successful away, only securing 13 points in nine matches. It's important to note that the visitors easily won their group in the Conference League, advancing directly to the round of 16. 

Head-to-Head

West Ham secured a convincing victory against Arsenal in the November clash of the League Cup's fourth round, with a score of 3:1.

Predictions for "Arsenal vs. West Ham" Match

Having never lost a home game this season, Arsenal will undoubtedly thrash West Ham, who have already suffered two significant losses in the current campaign (5:0 against Fulham and 5:1 against Liverpool). Furthermore, should the Gunners triumph, they could finish 2023 atop the league table - a motivation to delight the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium. My bet goes to the favourite's victory, with a handicap of -1.5.

Total Score Predictions

Arsenal, averaging 2.5 goals per home game, will probably score at least twice against West Ham, who have conceded 20 goals in 9 away matches, on Thursday.

Corner Predictions

Being of higher calibre, Arsenal will predictably control the match. The Gunners will outdo in all key stats, including corners (handicap -2.5).

Yellow Card Predictions

Neither team is known for excess brutality on the field - the total yellow cards predicted is under 4.5.

Score Predictions

My bet is on a precise score of 3:1 in favour of Arsenal.