English Premier League Preview and Top Betting Tips - West Ham vs Arsenal in a Classic London Derby

  • In Charles Meshell
  • Fri, Jan 11th, 2019 2:20:57 pm
  • By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper


ROICapper takes a deep dive into the London Derby, with match tips and betting props for West Ham vs. Arsenal.

West Ham vs Arsenal Preview

The Premier League returns this weekend after a brief pause in action with teams competing in both FA and EFL Cup competitions. The string of matches continue to come fast and furious as 2019 rolls in.

Liverpool start the round as holders of the top spot in the table, while Manchester City currently sit 4 points back after handing the Reds their first defeat of the season during the Festive Fixtures period. Tottenham and Chelsea round out the top four spots in England's highest level of competition. With Manchester United arguably the hottest team in the league, as they make a trip to Wembley stadium for a showdown with Spurs on Sunday evening.


West Ham vs Arsenal 
London Stadium, London, England
1-12-2019 - 7:30 am ET - NBC-SN 

A classic London Derby gets the match day started in the Premiership. With West Ham and Arsenal meeting for this top ten encounter, the EPL schedule makers have produced what should be one of the more entertaining match-ups during the return of top flight football in England.

West Ham welcome their London rivals as they attempt to climb in the English standings. Currently holders of the 10th spot with an overall record of 8-4-9, the Hammers have been challenged to put together a consistent run of form, as they entered the new campaign with a hefty expectations. 

Manuel Pellegrini was lured back to the Premier League after a short stint in China. The Chilean has produced mixed reviews during his triumphant return to Europe's top league, although he has had to contend with a series of new faces on the squad and a slew of unfortunate injuries, the Hammers seem to being gaining steam as the second half of the season begins. 

Pellegrini's Style Of Play

The former Manchester City head-man has long been known for his one way style of play, placing a large emphasis on moving forward in attack, Pellegrini has often been questioned for his lack of detail on the defensive side of the pitch. The Hammers are no exception this season, the hosts prefer to stay on the front foot when they have the ability to do so. But based on their lack of cohesion throughout their normal rotation, the 'Irons' have only been able to average 48.6% possession during the first 21 weeks of action, relying on the counter attack as they are creating 11.9 shots per contest, with an average of 1.4 goals being scored during the current campaign. 

The former EPL league winner has also had to convert formations regularly to highlight his available personnel, rumored to settle on a standard 4-4-2 alignment against the Gunners, Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll and Chicharito are all in contention to the lead the home sides front-line. The skilled danger-men have produced 11 goals and 3 assists through the domestic calendar, with a blend of long range shooting abilities and the knack for finding loose balls in the box, West Ham have individuals who are fully capable of finding the back of the net. 

Felipe Anderson has been the team's most valuable member. After making a big money move from Lazio over the Summer, the Brazilian has adjusted well to the physical brand of football played on English soil. Anderson is able to influence the match on both sides of the pitch. With natural instincts to shut down passing lanes, the creative midfielder is then able to set the attack into motion using through balls, long balls and the counter attack to help pick opposing defenses apart. Scoring 8 goals and assisting on 2 more, he has displayed his all-around skill-set making him a great bit of business for this West Ham side.

The Hammer's Lingering Injury List

The hosts have been struck by a string of injuries during the current season, with Manuel Lanzini, Carlos Sanchez, Andriy Yarmolenko, Ryan Fredericks, Fabian Balbuena, Jack Wilshere and Winston Reid all officially ruled out of Saturday's derby. Pellegrini has been challenged to find true team chemistry on a regular basis, this match day 22 event will be no exception, as he will be missing up to 5 normal starters within his preferred rotation.

West Ham would prefer to have all men on deck for this particular match-up. The Hammers have struggled to defeat their local visitors since their inception. Over the past 123 meetings Arsenal lead the way with a record of 61-34-28, including 7-2-1 during their past 10 encounters, and a 3-1 loss while at the Emirates at the start of the new season.

Arsenal hope to keep their recent run of success intact, after seeing 22 match unbeaten streak snapped, the Gunner's followed that up with a record of 1-1-3 prior to the New Year. Now as 2019 has arrived the north London side seem motivated to go on another lengthy undefeated streak. 

Unai Emery has his team on the doorstep of a top four spot in the league. After arriving in the Summer with the departure of Arsene Wenger, the Spaniard has Arsenal sitting 3 points adrift fellow 'Big Six' side Chelsea in the highly competitive EPL standings.

Road Warriors

The Gunner's have been an incredible force away from the Emirates, scoring an average of 2.2 goals per match. The three time Premier League champs have a remarkable totals record of 8-1-1, as they have scored in all 10 of their away fixtures. 

Team Prop
Arsenal - Team Total Over 1.5  -135 / 1.74 - Goals 

Emery has also tinkered with his regular formations through out the season, now in his trip to the London Stadium he seems to be set on a 3-4-2-1 - 3-4-3 shape. French forward Alexandre Lacazette has been selected as the dedicated number-nine within the guests plan of attack, while fellow tally's man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been strategically placed on the wing. The combination has provided the Gunners with 21 goals and 8 assists during their successful partnership within the Spaniard's style of play.

Arsenal's Recovering Squad 

The guests are closing in on a fully healthy unit, with only Danny Welbeck, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Rob Holding not making the trip across town, while Mesut OzilLaurent Koscielny, Hector Bellerin, Nacho Monreal, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Shkodran Mustafi are all back to training and seem eligible to see significant time during this round 22 affair. 

Arsenal have been challenged too keep their opponents off the score-board themselves, Emery's men are conceding an unimaginable 2.1 goals per match during their travels, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in all 10 matches away from home, placing an added emphasis to get many of their back-lines members back onto the pitch immediately. 


West Ham vs Arsenal - Match Prediction

This battle of these old foes promises to be an entertaining spectacle for all to witness. With both clubs having an attacking frame of mind, while also struggling on the defensive side of the pitch, sparks should fly as this bitter rivalry kicks off match day 22 in the EPL.

West Ham should be motivated to reverse their torrid trend against the Gunners, now under the Pelligrini regime the Hammers have been a very competitive unit. The Londoners are still searching for a statement victory under the Chilean task-master, with plenty of firepower at the home side's disposal, they should give Arsenal all they can handle over the course of 90 plus minutes.

Arsenal have proven they will score regardless of their surroundings, while also going undefeated in 17 of their last 19 Premier League matches. The Gunners are also wanting to make their own mark in the league under a new voice on the sidelines, with Emery wanting his talented wingers to attack opponents down the flanks, using searching through balls to get his danger-men in the open field to perform their magic. The visitors also launch a large amount of long range shots, as they look to clean up second chances and finish their shots in front of goal.  

Match Prop
Both Teams To Score in 1st Half  +265 / 3.65

I am expecting a highly competitive affair while at the London stadium. With West Ham wanting to push the pace at any opportunity to place the Gunners on their heels, I expect them to use the counter attack as a true weapon while scoring no less than 1 goal in front of their loyal supporters. Arsenal will want to expose the Hammers with their electric wingers, understanding West Ham have conceded a minimum of 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches. I project the visitors leave London stadium with a minimum of 2 goals added too their season tally, in what should be a fanatic pace to kick off the day in the top league in the world. 


West Ham vs Arsenal - Betting Tips

Over 1.25  -110 / 1.91 - Total 1st Half Goals 
Over 1.5  -135 / 1.74 - Total 2nd Half Goals 
Over 3  -125 / 1.8  -  Total Full Time Goals
Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals  -120 / 1.83

 All Picks Verified Through Cappersenterprise on Twitter @Cappersentrprze


Charles Meshell (ROI Capper) will now be a regular contributor at One Stop Sports Spot, providing regular free picks and detailed information on specific matches throughout the soccer world.  Sign up for the new Podcast at OneStopSportsSpot.com to become a valued follower.

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