West Ham vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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West Ham United sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table but the pressure remains on Julen Lopetegui as they welcome runaway league leaders Liverpool to the London Stadium.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 29th December, 2024: UK – 5:15pm / US ET – 12:15pm / US PT – 9:15am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Telemundo
West Ham Preview: Irons lacking identity
West Ham United have underwhelmed this season and the pressure not only is on Lopetegui but also Director of Football Tim Steidten after they spent over £100 million during this summer’s transfer window following the departure of David Moyes.
The Irons do, though, come into this one on the back of a 1-0 defeat of bottom-of-the-table Southampton thanks to a second-half winner from captain Jarrod Bowen in a game in which they were probably second best to the hapless Saints.
Liverpool Preview: Rampant Reds
Liverpool came from behind to defeat Leicester City by three goals to one at Anfield on Boxing Day. Jordan Ayew gave the Foxes a surprise early lead and Liverpool found it hard to break them down but eventually did so with goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah.
The Reds have moved to seven points clear at the top-of-the-table ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures with a game-in-hand on their competitors, too. They have suffered just one defeat in their 26 matches across all competitions so far this season.
West Ham Team News: Couple of suspensions
Czechia international Tomas Soucek is sidelined due to suspension for this one. As well as the absence of Soucek, the Hammers are also without former Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez, whilst Lukasz Fabianski was forced off with a head injury the other day.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo; Coufal, Alvarez, Soler, Emerson; Bowen, Kudus; Fullkrug
Unavailable: Fabianski (Concussion), Rodriguez (Suspended), Soucek (Suspended), Antonio (Injured)
Questionable: Kilman (Injured), Soler (Injured)
Liverpool Team News: Szoboszlai suspension
Hungary international attacking midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is unavailable for this weekend due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season. Arne Slot has said that Diogo Jota is close to returning to a starting berth for this one but he remains a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Gakpo
Unavailable: Konate (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Szoboszlai (Suspended)
Questionable: Jota (Fitness)
West Ham vs Liverpool Prediction
West Ham have underwhelmed throughout this campaign and supporters have major concerns about the lack of identity within the tactical setup of their side. The Hammers are not involved in a relegation battle but should have pushed towards a top seven or eight finish this season. They now face a Liverpool side that will be expected to slice their way through the hosts quite easily, as has been the case for West Ham on more than one occasion this season, so a comfortable away win is to be expected for this one in the capital.
West Ham vs Liverpool Tip: Liverpool to win -1 handicap
