To be honest, one of the best results in this game for both sides would be a goalless draw. Everton and West Ham have conceded 54 league goals between them this season and for the home side there’s been plenty more conceded in the Europa League. Two clean sheets would do both these teams the power of good but that’s an extremely unlikely result in this bottom of the table clash.
Everton start the game in 16th place and that’s just two points above the relegation zone. Lose this game and West Ham, who are 18th will go above them. All those hopes of Champions League football are just faded memories now as the Toffees lunge from one disaster to another.
Still no sign of a new manager being appointed at the time of writing this preview and they desperately need one, especially if losing this game. There had been some faint hopes of a revival with four points from their last two Premier League games but the events of the past few days have wrecked all of that.
They had already been knocked out of the Europa League but played a strong side against Atalanta and were hammered 5-1. Three days later, they travelled to goal-shy Southampton and conceded another four making it 28 conceded in the Premier League so far this season. That’s just 16 goals less than they conceded in all the 2016/17 season. 12 goals have bee conceded at home in six league games and last season they only let in 16 in 19 home league games.
Everton have conceded at least twice in their last nine league and cup games and it’s a terrible tale at Goodison too with 12 conceded in the last three matches. Confidence is at an all-time low and there are also injury doubts over Leighton Baines and Michael Keane both doubtful for this game adding yet more defensive worries to the Everton team.
Everton have a run of three home games against West Ham, Huddersfield and Swansea City, so they must be looking to get a few points from those games or they really could be in far deeper trouble than they already are.
West Ham’s defenders won’t be able to give the Everton team any helpful tips. They have conceded in each of their last seven league and cup games and away from home have conceded twice in each of their last three away league and cup games.
This is their third game under new boss David Moyes who makes an emotional return to Goodison Park. His first two games in charge have ended in a 2-0 defeat at Watford and a 1-1 home draw with Leicester City. Their performance against Leicester was a slight improvement and the team certainly seemed to be working a lot harder than they have in recent weeks.
Away form has been a problem for West Ham all season. They are yet to get a league win and have just three points from seven games played to date. Only five goals scored on the road and 15 conceded and the only two Premier League teams who have a worse record are Liverpool and Everton.
Conclusion
Everton remain in crisis and it seems to be getting a lot worse as the days go by. Speaking after the 4-1 loss at Southampton, caretaker-manager David Unsworth said “things have to change quickly” and their performance was “not acceptable” and the team need to “get back to basics”. Their fans have been feeling that way for a while now. Home form has seen them win three and lose three but the big worry for both these sides is their defence. Betting on either of these teams is difficult at present but going for both teams to score should prove a winner.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Everton – LDWLL
West Ham United – DLLDL
Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings
22/04/17 – West Ham 0 Everton 0
30/10/16 – Everton 2 West Ham 0
05/03/16 – Everton 2 West Ham 3
07/11/15 – West Ham 1 Everton 1
16/05/15 – West Ham 1 Everton 2
- Everton have only lost one of their last ten home league games against West Ham
- Both teams have sored in three of the last four home games against West Ham
- Everton have scored in their last 12 home games against the Hammers.
- Everton have won just one of their last 12 home league and cup games.
- Everton have only kept one cleans sheet in their last 20 league and cup matches.
- West Ham are yet to win an away league game this season.
- West Ham have conceded in their last seven league and cup matches.
- West Ham have conceded twice in their last three away league and cup games.