Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Stoke City

Published on: 04/11/2016

Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Stoke City

November 05, 2016 15:00pm - Etihad Stadium

Premier League

With just three points separating 17th-ranked West Ham United from ninth-ranked Southampton, the Londoners could make a significant leap up the Premier League table with a win on Saturday. Meanwhile, opponents Stoke City will look to extend their unbeaten run to six games.

Hammers still not clear of danger

After a disastrous start to the season, West Ham United have rallied somewhat but are still just three points clear of the drop zone. Their three-game unbeaten streak came to an end last week when they fell 2-0 away to Everton. Prior to that they won two in a row away to Crystal Palace (0-1) and at home to Sunderland (1-0) and drawn 1-1 at home to Middlesbrough.

The Hammers` recent move to their new stadium has been plagued with problems, with crowd trouble and criticism over facilities marring what was meant to be the start of a bright new era for the club. Their woes have been further amplified by the news that the stadium deal will be subject to an independent investigation.

Things have not been much better on the pitch, where the Londoners have won just two of the five games that they have played at home in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, visitors Stoke City have been in resurgent form after suffering from a poor start to the season. The Potters failed to win any of their first five games, drawing one and losing four, but have since won three and drawn two to lift themselves up to 12th in the table.

They come into this game on the back of three straight wins, the latest being a 3-1 home win over Swansea City. Prior to that they won 2-0 at Hull City and beat Sunderland by the same score-line on home soil.

Team news

The home side can point to the fact that they have been blighted by injuries this term and little has changed in that respect. The Hammers will have to make do without the services of Winston Reid (hamstring), Reece Oxford (ankle), Gokhan Tore (thigh), Sam Byram (hamstring), Arthur Masuaku (knee), Andy Carroll (knee) and Diafra Sakho (back).

Meanwhile, Xherdan Shaqiri and Geoff Cameron are both major doubts for the visitors, while Glen Johsnson (thigh), Jack Butland (ankle), Stephen Ireland (broken leg) and Ibrahim Afellay (ACL) will all miss out.

Recent form (League):

West Ham United: LWWDL

Stoke City: WWWDD

Betting odds and tips

Both sides have recovered after poor starts but it is Stoke City who has shown the biggest improvement over the last five games. However, they still have only one away win to their name this term and have a few key players out of action.

West Ham also have some injury concerns but the return of striker Andre Ayew could boost their cause.

You can back the Draw at 13/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 04/11/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (04/11/2016 15:18:44) but are subject to change.