Premier League: Liverpool vs West Ham - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Liverpool host West Ham at Anfield on Sunday morning NZT in a Premier League fixture that could well have big implications at both ends of the table.

Sixth-placed Liverpool are chasing the top four after a frustrating title defence so far. West Ham, in 18th, have been impossible to predict - one day a gritty win, the next a horrific collapse. 

In this Liverpool vs West Ham preview, I cover form, team news, and key stats, plus a $2.50 angle that I reckon is great value on NZ betting sites.

Liverpool

After a rough patch earlier in the season, the defending champions are finding their feet at the right time.

Three clean sheets in four domestic matches have helped. Their 97th-minute winner at the City Ground was scrappy, sure, but good sides find ways to grind out results when they’re not at their best. That’s what Liverpool have been doing, and off the back of that, they’re now level on points with Chelsea with the top four within reach.

Florian Wirtz is a big question though. He missed the Forest game with a back issue but was spotted back in training this week and should start. Liverpool without Wirtz look a completely different side, as Forest showed, and his return would be a massive boost.

Team News: Wirtz is expected to return. Alexander Isak (fractured fibula) and Wataru Endo (ankle) are long-term absentees. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are out for the season. Jeremie Frimpong is pushing for a return from a thigh problem.

Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

West Ham

West Ham’s season has been a rollercoaster, perfectly encapsulated by their recent form.

A convincing 3-1 win over Sunderland in late January looked like a turning point, and they raced into a 2-0 lead at Chelsea days later before collapsing in the second half to go down 3-2. It was the perfect example of a side that can compete but can’t sustain it. Since then, they’ve played a lifeless 0-0 against Bournemouth last weekend where they generated 2.87 xG from 20 shots and still couldn’t score. 

Crysencio Summerville has been their standout performer, with six goals in his last seven games. Jarrod Bowen (eight league goals) is another threat, but away from home West Ham have struggled to put it all together. The latest markets on the best betting apps show just how little confidence bookmakers have in the visitors scoring at Anfield.

Team News: Freddie Potts is serving a three-match ban (game two of three). Pablo is injured. Soungoutou Magassa deputises in midfield alongside Soucek and Fernandes.

Predicted Lineup: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Magassa, Fernandes; Bowen, Soucek, Summerville; Castellanos.

• Liverpool have won eight of their last nine meetings with West Ham across all competitions.
• West Ham haven’t won at Anfield since August 2015.
• Liverpool have kept three clean sheets in their last four domestic fixtures.
• West Ham have dropped more points from winning positions (20) than any other side this season.
• Cody Gakpo has scored in two of the last three Liverpool vs West Ham league meetings.

I’m picking West Ham will make this awkward. They proved at Chelsea that they can compete, and Summerville’s current form will cause any defence trouble.

But West Ham haven’t won at Anfield in over a decade. Their inability to convert chances, as that Bournemouth blank showed, could well be their undoing against a side that’s finding its stride.

For Liverpool, getting Wirtz back changes everything. He’ll find space between the lines and unlock a compact West Ham block. Gakpo and Salah have the kind of firepower this defence won’t be able to hold out for 90 minutes.

I’m backing a Liverpool win, 2-0. West Ham will frustrate initially, but Liverpool’s quality will tell. If you’ve got free bets available, a clean sheet wager is where I’d be looking.

Liverpool Win to Nil @ $2.50

Three clean sheets in four domestic outings tells you everything about where Liverpool are defensively right now. 

West Ham couldn’t beat Bournemouth at home despite generating nearly 3.0 xG. Anfield is a different challenge, and they’re scoring less than a goal per game on the road. Summerville’s scoring streak adds a wrinkle, but one player can’t do it alone against this back line.

Factor in the head-to-head, with Liverpool winning eight of the last nine meetings, and the fact West Ham haven’t won at Anfield in over a decade. At $2.50 with Bet and Play, I’m high on this bet to cash over the weekend.