Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Liverpool

Published on: 31/12/2015

Premier League preview and odds: West Ham United vs Liverpool

January 2, 2015 12:45pm - The Boleyn Ground

Premier League

West Ham will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games on Saturday when they welcome seventh-ranked Liverpool to the Boleyn Ground in the first Barclays Premier League fixture of 2016.

Hammers unbeaten in six

West Ham are unbeaten in their last six games but have only won once during that spell. They finally broke a five-game drawing run with victory at home to Southampton on Monday night.

With key players missing, it has been a difficult period for the Hammers, but they have remained competitive, losing just two of their last 16 games in the league. At home, they are unbeaten in their last seven games having won three and drawn four.

Reds edging towards top four

Liverpool have had a decent holiday period so far, having played out back-to-back 1-0 wins against Leicester and Sunderland. As a result, they have pulled level with Manchester United and will now have their eyes set on a top four finish.

The win at Sunderland was their first away win in three matches and they must now make the trip south to face a tricky West Ham side that has not been beaten at home in seven matches. A win on Saturday would lift them temporarily into fifth place ahead of the day`s later kick-offs.

Team news

West Ham are still without Nikica Jelavic, Aaron Creswell, Winston Reid, Victor Moses, Diafra Sakho and Dimitri Payet.

Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson is back in the Liverpool treatment room along with Divock Origi, Martyn Skrtel, James Milner, Jordan Rossiter, Danny Ings, Joe Gomez and Jon Flanagan. However, Daniel Sturridge is in line for a recall after recovering from his latest setback.

Recent form (League)

West Ham United: WDDDD

Liverpool: WWLDL

Betting odds and tips

West Ham have yet to beat a team currently in the top half of the table at home this season, having lost to Leicester and drawn against Stoke City. In their away games against top-half teams, Liverpool have beaten Manchester City away, drawn at Arsenal and Spurs, and lost at Manchester United and Watford.

The Reds will start as favourites but the draw looks like the better bet at 5/2 with Bet365. However, if Daniel Sturridge starts, the Reds will be worth a punt at 11/10.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 31/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (31/12/2015 11:24:04) but are subject to change.