The English Premier League continues this weekend after the international break, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Watford vs. West Ham United match. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Watford vs. West Ham United
Three-Way: 1: Watford +122; X: +260 Draw; 2: West Ham +280 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Watford +120; West Ham -120
Total +2.5: Over -104; Under +104
WATFORD
The Hornets are desperate to snap the current poor run of three consecutive losses and bounce back after a heartbreaking defeat to Everton at Goodison Park in the last round of the Premier League. Watford had a commanding 2:0 lead in the 64th minute, thanks to Richarlison and Christian Kabasele, but Everton managed to pull two back through OumarNiasse and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Leighton Baines completed the comeback with an injury-time penalty. Tom Cleverley had the chance to equalize from the spot in the 11th minute of added time, but he missed, so the Toffees got all three points, and Watford left empty-handed. The Hornets are currently sitting in the 9th position in the Premier League with 15 points, six more than West Ham, but could go down to the lower part of the table with a potential defeat here. It is a big question how the players will respond following a good start of the season and now after suffering three straights defeats, so it will be interesting to see their mental strength against the Hammers who will play the first game under the new head coach – David Moyes.
Watford played 12 games so far in the 2017/18, recording four wins, three draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 19:24, which is 3.58 goals per contest on average. The Hornets are having problems when it comes to home matches as they won just one at Vicarage Road in this campaign, and it was a 2:1 victory over Arsenal. They didn’t score in three out of the last four, but Watford lost only once in the previous five H2H duels at home, so that has to be encouraging for the hosts. Still, the Hornets conceded eight goals in the last three home games, including six against Manchester City, and considering weak defense; it will be surprising not to see at least one goal in Watford’s net on Sunday. On the other hand, Watford failed to score in only two out of the previous eight encounters with West Ham at Vicarage Road so that we can expect a quite entertaining clash here.
The Brazilian sensation Richarlison and the midfielder AbdoulayeDoucoure are the team’s leading scorers with four goals apiece, while Etienne Capoue added a pair of goals to his name. The 20-year-old Richarlison also has three assists and is the most creative individual in the squad, while Jose Holebas and Andre Gray are the important contributors to dishes, respectively. Richarlison, who joined last summer from Fluminense will pose the biggest threat to Joe Hart and West Ham’s defense, and in combination with Andre Gray and Troy Deeney, the Brazilian could prove to be a match-winner on this one. The visitors have to pay special attention to him, but it will be tough to handle Richarlison considering West Ham’s recent defensive record. Marco Silva cannot count on the midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah (knee), forward Isaac Success (knee), defender Craig Cathcart (knee), and Tommie Hoban (cruciate ligament), but he could have Roberto Pereyra (tendon), Sebastian Prodl (hamstring), and Younes Kaboul (thigh) back for this tilt as they all listed as 50-50.
WEST HAM UNITED
The Hammers won just one of the last five matches, and although it appeared that Slaven Bilic would get to keep his job for a little while following a superb comeback in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham at Wembley, it is evident that he had to go. The Hammers dropped two points at Selhurst Park in the Premier League the following weekend as they led 2:0, but Wilfried Zaha’s equalizer in the 97th minute secured a point for Crystal Palace. The massive 1:4 defeat to Liverpool at London Stadium was the last nail in Bilic’s coffin, and the club decided that is the best if they part ways with the Croatian coach. It was evident that the Hammers will suffer another loss after the opening 25 minutes when Liverpool took a 2:0 lead through Mohamed Salah and Joel Matip. Manuel Lanzini managed to claw one back in the 55th minute, but the Reds scored immediately after thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Salah had another one in the 75th minute to settle the final score. Bilic’s sacking was in the air for the past several weeks, but this loss was the last drop, so West Ham opted to appoint David Moyes instead, and the fans are far from happy with that decision. Since leaving Everton, Moyes endured rough time at Manchester United, Real Sociedad, and Sunderland, having relegated with the Black Cats a couple of seasons ago. The Scotsman had the best time of his managerial career while at Goodison Park and failed to record decent achievements after, so it is no wonder why the fans are skeptical about his appointment. Moyes will have an opportunity to prove his worth on Sunday, and we’ll see whether he is still good enough to manage a team in the Premier League. West Ham is currently in the 18th position with nine points, and they need a win to escape the relegation zone.
West Ham played 14 games so far in this campaign, recording five victories, three draws, and six losses, with a goal difference of 19:25, which is 3.15 goals per contest on average. The good news for the Hammers is that they are without an away defeat in the previous four matches, scoring six goals in the process and conceding five. They are winless in the last two Premier League tilts with Watford at Vicarage Road, but the hosts are also not in good form at the moment, so this could be a solid chance for West Ham to get all three points.
The Ghanaian forward Andre Ayew is the team’s top scorer with five goals in 13 appearances, while Chicharito with four, and DiafraSakho with three goals are following Ayew on a goal-scoring chart. Ayew, Arthur Masuaku, Marko Arnautovic, and Manuel Lanzini are the best assist-makers with a pair of dishes to their respective names, but Moyes will surely demand more from Lanzini and Arnautovic, who should be the main contributors behind the strikers. The gaffer will be without the centre-back Jose Fonte (Malleolar), right-back Sam Byram (thigh), and Doneil Henry (knee), while Chicharito (thigh), Michail Antonio (rib), and James Collins (malleolar) could return into the lineup as they are recovering from respective injuries.
Watford vs. West Ham United – Match Prediction
Both sides are struggling at the moment, but what is distinct for either team is that they are allowing a plenty of goals lately, so I believe we will see at least three in this encounter. Also, I don’t think the defenses will be able to hold the rival, so goals on both ends are looking probable.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-125)
Additional Pick: Over 2.5 goals (-104)
