West Ham v Arsenal predictions, betting tips, lineups and odds (Premier League - 9.4.2016)

Saturday, 09 April 2016 19:23
Written by David Bet

West Ham welcome Arsenal on Saturday's early kick-off, in what will be the final ever London derby at the Boleyn Ground. Don't miss our WEST HAM v ARSENAL betting preview with predictions, betting tips, team news & probable line-ups, enhanced odds and no deposit free bets on the Premier League League!

WEST HAM v ARSENAL BETTING PREVIEW

West Ham currently sit just three points off the top four heading into the final few weeks of the season, a dramatic improvement from a team that finished 12th last term. The Hammers underwhelmed in drawing 2-2 at home against an out of form Crystal Palace side last weekend but they are now unbeaten in their last nine matches and at home their unbeaten run stretches all the way back to August (W7 D6).

Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is available after his red card against Crystal Palace last weekend was overturned. As a result, Slaven Bilic gas the luxury of a fully-fit squad to choose from. The Croatian manager may opt to bring back James Tomkins at right-back so that Michail Antonio can push forward into a more comfortable wide-midfield role. Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini look certain to claim the other two spots, with Diafra Sakho perhaps retaining his starting berth as the lone striker. Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna look set to continue in central defence, with Aaron Cresswell at left-back for the Hammers.

Arsenal are 11 points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City in the title race, with a game in hand. Going out of both the FA Cup and Champions League last month made it a disappointing March for the Gunners. Despite the they have won their last two Premier League games, their form is not so good with just just three victories in their last 10 matches in all competitions (L5-D2). Wenger's men have also lost only one of their last six away league games

Arsene Wenger expects to have Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini both available for the short trip. Goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to start after returning to the substitutes' bench against Watford following a calf problem, with David Ospina making way. The back four of Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel and Nacho Monreal also looks set to be unchanged, with Per Mertesacker the back-up option. Changes are also unlikely further forward, with Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi likely to form the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Danny Welbeck.

The Hammers shocked the Gunners 2-0 on the opening day of the season and are looking to win both home and away matches against Arsenal in the same league season for the first time since 2006/07. Gunners' defeat in August ended a run of nine consecutive Premier League wins against the Hammers.

WEST HAM v ARSENAL PROBABLE LINEUPS

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Payet, Lanzini; Sakho

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Elneny; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Welbeck