West Ham vs. Arsenal odds, preview, and pick

Arsenal will face off with a fellow London foe for the second time in as many weeks, as they travel across town Sunday to visit West Ham United in our Premier League match of the week. The Gunners are favored in the match, with many expecting it to be a low-scoring affair.

West Ham suffered rare shutout against Man. U

Last weekend, the Hammers were held scoreless in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, the first time they failed to find the back of the net in five matches. That was due in large part to the absence of loanee Jesse Lingard, who was not available to face his parent club.

Lingard’s stellar form since joining West Ham is a big reason why they have taken 13 points from a possible 21 since the beginning of February. One of those defeats came at Manchester City, but they were still competitive, and they’re currently in the heart of the race for Champions League in fifth place. A win over Arsenal would see them pull level with Chelsea on points, as they sit three back with a match in hand.

Given the goal they allowed against Manchester United was an own goal, the Hammers have allowed opposition players to find the back of the net just three times in their last five matches. They have also won three straight home matches in the league, and are aiming to make that four on the trot for the first time in 19 years.

David Moyes will be without Andriy Yarmolenko, while Pablo Fornals is expected to be available. Ryan Fredericks is in a fitness race with a groin injury. The return of Lingard will be a huge boost to the midfield, and the holding duo of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will be key to neutralizing Arsenal’s ability to keep possession and spring the counter-attack.

Arsenal played unevenly last week

Mikel Arteta took a massive gamble last week, benching captain and superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the North London Derby after he was late arriving to the stadium. The move worked out, as Arsenal defeated Tottenham 2-1. Arteta was able to show his team that everyone, no matter how important, would be held accountable.

Now he faces a dilemma after Aubameyang’s woeful performance on Thursday in their 1-0 Europa League defeat to Olympiacos, a result that still saw them advance in the tournament. The offensive attack flowed well with him on the bench last weekend, and Arteta will have to determine whether he drops Alexander Lacazette to the bench.

The French attacker won the decisive penalty against Tottenham, and has played a role in goals in five of his last six starts. He has also terrorized West Ham over the past few years, and scored in the reverse fixture, a 2-1 victory in September.

He also will hope to have Bukayo Saka available, who missed Thursday’s match after coming off at half time against Spurs with a muscle injury. Willian will be out with a hamstring issue.

Trends and Free Bet

West Ham have won three straight at home and five of their last six, and in those five wins they have led both at half time and full time. They have also found the net at least twice in those three consecutive wins. However, the Hammers have won just three of their 24 Premier League meetings with Arsenal at home.

Arsenal have lost to the Hammers just twice in their last 27 meeting across all competitions. Arsenal have won four of their last six matches across all competitions. Arsenal have completed the league double over West Ham 11 times, the most against any club they have faced.

The Gunners have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 11 matches across all competitions. In Premier League play this season, they have just six victories compared to two draws and six defeats away from home. They have taken victory in just one of their last four road matches in the league.

Of all the London-based clubs, Arsenal have the highest points total in inter-city matchups this campaign, with 13 points in six matches after taking all three against Tottenham a week ago.

Arsenal dominated possession in their meeting in Matchday 2, holding the ball for nearly two-thirds of the match. However, it took a late winner from Aubameyang to secure all three points at home. West Ham set up with five at the back in the match, but since switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation, they have performed much better. Lingard has improved their attack, and after having a week off, he’ll be ready to go.

The defeat to Arsenal was the only time this season they have lost two matches in a row, and I don’t see the Gunners doing it to them again. Arsenal’s defensive woes continue to pile up, and Lingard’s form will likely see them concede at least one. It will very likely be canceled out by the in-form Lacazette, and a draw is very likely with both teams scoring. If there is to be a winner, I like it to be the Hammers, so take the Asian Handicap and enjoy what should be an entertaining match.

Free Pick: West Ham +0.25 Asian Handicap (-125); Both teams to score (-130)