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November 28 2024, 19:42 · Trystan Pugh
Updated: November 29 2024, 15:23

West Ham vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction

West Ham vs Arsenal Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Both sides have improved lately but Arsenal in particular have found their scoring boots having scored eight goals in their last two games in all competitions heading into this London derby.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 30th November, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Fubo

West Ham Preview: Lopetegui scrapping away

West Ham's 0-2 victory at Newcastle on Monday has surely bought Julen Lopetegui more time with the Hammers having now lost just one of their four league games as they make their climb up the Premier League table.

They enter into this London derby with renewed confidence then, and they will certainly want to put in a better performance than they did the last time Arsenal visited the London Stadium, with the Gunners recording an emphatic 0-6 win on that occasion.

Arsenal Preview: Back on track

Arsenal are starting to motor again and it is hardly surprising that it has coincided with the return from injury of influential midfielder Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian star clearly a stabilising influence both on and off the pitch.

After delivering an assured 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend, the Gunners emphatically beat Sporting Lisbon 1-5 away from home in the Champions League on Tuesday, which put them back into one of the automatic qualifying spots for the round of 16.

West Ham Team News: Alvarez back

Centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo was withdrawn before the half-hour mark with a knock against Newcastle but Lopetegui is confident that he, along with two other unnamed players, will be fit to feature.

There was no update on summer signing Niclas Fullkrug, who is likely not ready to return, but Edson Alvarez could return to the heart of midfield after completing his suspension.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson; Soucek, Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Antonio

Unavailable: Kudus (Suspended)

Questionable: Todibo (Injured), Fullkrug (Injured)

Arsenal Team News: Gabriel concern

Centre-back Gabriel picked up a knock against Sporting Lisbon and was withdrawn late on, but Mikel Arteta could only offer a 'wait and see' response in his press conference, so there is nothing definitive on his condition right now.

With Kieran Tierney making the bench on Tuesday, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are the only known absentees, although Arteta did make vague reference to some players missing training on Thursday. 

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli

Unavailable: White (Injured), Tomiyasu (Injured)

Questionable: Gabriel (Injured)

West Ham vs Arsenal Prediction

Although West ham's results have definitely improved of late, they are facing an Arsenal side who have scored eight goals in the past week, and who are playing to a much higher level now that Odegaard has returned to the side.

The Gunners ran out 0-6 winners in the pair's last meeting at the London Stadium, and while a repeat margin of victory is unlikely, another win and clean sheet for the visitors is a distinct possibility.

West Ham vs Arsenal Tip: Arsenal to win to nil