West Ham vs Liverpool Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one down the London Stadium. West Ham, sitting in 17th, have been a bit of a mixed bag lately. They've shown some spark with that 3-1 win over Newcastle and 3-2 against Burnley, but let's be honest, they're still leaking goals like a sieve at home - two per game on average in their last five at the den.

Now for Liverpool, and blimey, what's happened to them? Sitting 12th with 18 points, they've been proper shocking recently. Seven losses in their last ten games, including getting hammered 4-1 by PSV and 3-0 by Nottingham Forest. Their away form is even worse - losing three-quarters of their away trips and shipping 2.25 goals per game on the road.

But here's the thing - when these two meet, it's usually one-way traffic. Liverpool have won eight of the nine meetings, with West Ham yet to beat them. The recent head-to-heads have been brutal for the Hammers - 5-0, 5-1, 5-1 thrashings. Even last time out, Liverpool nicked it 2-1.

So what do we make of it? Liverpool's form is shocking, but they still create more chances (16.3 shots vs West Ham's 9.5) and keep the ball better (58% possession). West Ham have found their shooting boots recently though, banging in eight goals in their last three games.

Both teams are proper generous at the back, and that's where I think the value lies. With West Ham conceding two per game at home and Liverpool shipping over two away from home, I'm expecting both teams to find the net. The goal expectancy suggests we're in for around 3.8 goals in total, and both teams have been scoring regularly - West Ham in 60% of their games, Liverpool in 50%.

Liverpool might have the historical edge, but with their current form and West Ham's recent goal-scoring spree, I'm backing both teams to get on the scoresheet.