Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Prediction: Aston Villa vs West Ham

Verdict: West Ham draw no bet 

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to extend what has been a very bright start to the new campaign, West Ham will make the trip to Villa Park on Monday night.

Aston Villa

Starting with Monday’s hosts, after having a point controversially snatched away from them away at Selhurst Park prior to the international break, Head Coach Dean Smith will be demanding on an immediate response from his side. Along with suffering a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace last time out, the former Brentford boss has seen his side lose three of their opening four contests and find themselves in the bottom three entering September. Opting to spend big over the summer and breaking the £100million barrier, fans around Villa Park will be desperate for their side to replicate their most recent display in the Midlands. Putting in their best performance since opening the 2019/2020 campaign with a 2-0 win over European hopefuls Everton last month, that was remarkably just Villa’s first top-flight victories in their previous 17 attempts. If Monday’s guests are to find a route out of the bottom three, then there is no doubt that Smith will be looking for summer arrival Wesley to lead their charge. Finding the net in their 2-0 victory over Everton last month, the former Club Brugge man will once again lead the Villans’ charge on Monday.

Team News

Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia is out for up to three weeks after fracturing his cheekbone in training. James Chester and Matt Targett remain out, while winger Trezeguet is suspended as a result of his red card against Crystal Palace.

West Ham

As for the visitors, picking up a 2-0 win over a returning Norwich prior to the international break, the mood in West Ham’s camp continues to soar. Really showing signs of an improvement after opening the 2019/2020 campaign with a 5-0 hammering against Manchester City, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are enjoying a three-match winning run across all competitions. Also securing their spot in the third round of this year’s League Cup, the Hammers have lost just one of their opening four Premier League appearances and have European football firmly in their sights. Once again spending big over the summer, one man to watch on Monday night will be the red-hot Sebastian Haller. Finding the net against Norwich prior to the break, the 25-year-old now has three goals in his last two outings. There is no doubt that fans in East London will also be growing more impressed by their sides form on their travels. Picking up a 3-1 win away at Watford last month, Pellegrini’s men are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches on the road, winning three of those contests.

Team News

West Ham have no fresh injuries. Michail Antonio has had surgery on a hamstring problem suffered during the Carabao Cup win at Newport and is expected to miss the remainder of the calendar year.

Key Factors to Consider

  • West Ham are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches on the road.
  • The Hammers are also enjoying a three-match winning run across all competitions.
  • Aston Villa have lost three of their opening four matches so far this season.
  • Monday’s hosts have also recorded just one win in their last 17 matches against top-flight opposition.
  • Sebastian Haller has three goals in his last two appearances.

Conclusion

While Villa may have managed to snatch a much-needed 2-0 victory over a wasteful Everton last month, Dean Smith has seen his side continue to show some glaring inconsistencies. Given that the Hammers appear to have found a real purple patch and now enjoying a three-match winning run, including a four-match Premier League unbeaten run away from the London Stadium, Manuel Pellegrini’s men should be confident of extending their eye-catching run on Monday night.

Verdict: West Ham draw no bet 

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Bet365

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tom Dunstan


Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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