West Ham vs Liverpool: preview, predictions, and lineup

The Premier League leaders wrap up 2024 away from home when they take on West Ham on Sunday evening.

The Reds continue to boast a good buffer at the top and could extend their advantage over second-placed Arsenal to nine points if they win in east London.

Arnie Sloat’s team has barely done anything wrong over the first half of the season, and is set to compete on multiple fronts down the stretch. They were, of course, in a similar situation last year before fading, so the Dutchman will be keen to oversee the team Alternate conclusion to the campaign.

Liverpool A come-from-behind win over Leicester on Boxing Day It means they have won 13 of their first 17 league games and are on their way to a 93-point season.

Sunday’s opponents, West Ham, have settled down over the past month, but are yet to inspire under Julen Lopetegui. The Hammers are unbeaten since losing to Leicester on December 5, but the jury is still out on their Spanish coach.

They have been fortunate to get positive results in their previous two matches against Brighton and Southampton, but their rise means they enter Sunday’s game in 13th place in the table.

here 90 minutes Guide to West Ham vs Liverpool.

West Ham vs Liverpool H2H record (last five matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Lukasz Fabianski has impressed recently for the Hammers, but suffered a nasty looking head injury in the win over Southampton He is expected to be absent on Sunday. Alphonse Areola will come in place of the experienced pole.

Max Kilman was another casualty of the Boxing Day victory, but the defender is likely to feature despite suffering a shoulder injury. Carlos Soler is also a doubt, while midfield duo Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez are suspended.

Michail Antonio is out indefinitely.

West Ham’s expected formation against Liverpool (4-1-4-1):Aura. Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Kelman, Emerson; Alvarez. Bowen, Paquita, Codos, Summerville; Volkrug.

Liverpool will once again be without Conor Bradley and Ibrahim Konate for their final game of the calendar year, Slott has confirmed. However, the Reds have so far not been troubled by any new concerns.

The Dutchman will have to be wary of fatigue given his busy schedule, but there are unlikely to be wholesale changes from Boxing Day 11.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the Premier League season against Leicester, while Luis Diaz could once again be used in a central attacking position with Slott keen to carefully manage Diogo Jota’s minutes. Darwin Nunez hasn’t done enough to retain his starting spot.

Expected formation of Liverpool against West Ham (4-2-3-1):alison; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, McAlister; Salah, Jones, Jacobo; Diaz.

The two teams faced off in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, with Liverpool winning 5-1 at Anfield. This should be a close game given West Ham host their final match in 2024, but Lopetegui’s side will require the Reds to be extremely inconsistent to snatch a result.

In short, the Hammers were not a very good team. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what they do well. Lopetegui has shown some tactical versatility, but West Ham remain a subpar team without the ball and rely on the energy of Jarrod Bowen and the prowess of Mohamed Kuddous for attacking inspiration.

Their midfield is not an entity and Liverpool must have their way with them on Sunday. However, hints of Red fatigue might make this match closer than you might expect.

Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Liverpool

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