West Ham United vs Liverpool

The stakes are high for European hopefuls West Ham United and title-bidding Liverpool as they meet in a must-win Premier League encounter at the London Stadium. 

West Ham’s quest to secure a top-seven Premier League finish for the second time in three years is in tatters after two consecutive 2+ goal margin defeats demoted them to eighth, two points adrift of seventh-placed Newcastle. David Moyes’ men head into proceedings winless in their last four competitive outings (D1, L3), most recently succumbing to a dreadful 5-2 loss at Crystal Palace. The impending home return should offer the Hammers some relief, considering they’ve only lost twice in their last 18 games at the London Stadium (W8, D8). However, Liverpool’s visit to the capital spells trouble, not least because West Ham’s perennial struggle in this fixture has seen them lose 13 of their last 15 H2Hs (W1, D1), including two competitive defeats this season via a combined score of 8-2.

Visiting Liverpool could make history this weekend as they bid to beat West Ham three times in a single campaign for the first time at the 11th attempt. Nothing less will do for Jurgen Klopp’s side after a 2-0 midweek loss to Everton left them three points below the Premier League’s table summit. Only two wins from their last five competitive travels (D2, L1 – 90 minutes only) paint a bleak picture, but the Reds can draw confidence from beating Fulham 3-1 on their most recent visit to London. Further inspiration comes from posting three victories in their last four away league meetings with West Ham (L1), all of which saw Liverpool get on the scoresheet at least twice.