MY ACCOUNT
– Arsenal have scored eight first-half goals in their last four league matches
– West Ham have picked up just two points from seven games against top-five teams
– Recommended bet: Arsenal/Arsenal Half Time/Full Time
Arsenal were unable to build on their brilliant start to last weekend’s Premier League game at Liverpool, who fought back from 2-0 down to claim a dramatic 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The Gunners were hanging on for a point at the end of that game but they face a less formidable fixture on Sunday at West Ham, who were beaten 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day.
The Hammers have eased their relegation worries with a couple of recent 1-0 wins over struggling Southampton and out-of-form Fulham but their last home fixture ended in a 5-1 defeat to highflying Newcastle.
Arsenal’s forwards are even better than the Magpies’ attacking unit and they should take advantage of any weariness felt by West Ham, who had a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Gent in Thursday’s Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg.
Team news
West Ham’s only injury absentee is striker Gianluca Scamacca, who is set to undergo knee surgery.
Lucas Paqueta is fully fit again and David Moyes is likely to make several changes to the team who started against Gent on Thursday.
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba is still not ready to return so Rob Holding will continue in the heart of defence.
Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out but striker Eddie Nketiah is back after an ankle injury.
The stats
West Ham have won only one of their 12 meetings with teams in the top eight of the Premier League.
Arsenal have won 11 of their 15 away matches this season, keeping clean sheets in nine of those victories.
The Gunners have scored at least twice in seven of their last eight league games.
West Ham have earned only two points from seven games against top-five opponents.
Arsenal have racked up eight first-half goals in their last four league matches.
Prediction
Arsenal cannot afford any more slip-ups in their title battle with Manchester City, who they face at the Etihad Stadium later this month, and, a week on from that action-packed draw at Anfield, they should get back on track at West Ham.
Liverpool rattled the Gunners’ defence in the second half but, in general, Arsenal’s backline has been outstanding on the road and they have won to nil away at London rivals Tottenham, Brentford, Fulham, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
West Ham are scrapping hard for top-flight survival and should have the quality to pull clear of trouble.
However, they have been outclassed by most of the stronger teams in the division, losing 4-0 at Brighton last month and 5-1 at home to Newcastle in their most recent home fixture.
Arsenal were on a seven-game winning streak before their setback at Liverpool, leading at half-time in four of their last five victories, and they can take charge early on against the Hammers.
Back Arsenal/Arsenal Half Time/Full Time, available at 5/4 with LiveScore Bet.
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