Prediction: Liverpool vs West Ham

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 1/4

Bookmaker: bet365

The Premier League returns tonight, and isn’t that just a great thing to say out loud? Everyone has been waiting for this moment for quite some time and now that it’s here, the level of excitement is at an all-time high. All of the big clubs will be competing this weekend, with arguably one of the best matches of the Matchday coming in the form of Liverpool vs West Ham United. They may have different ambitions this season, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see how they match up against one another.

Liverpool

Bouncing back from losing in the Champions League final is never easy, and it’s even more difficult when the ability levels around you get harder and harder with each passing year. Alas, the Reds are well prepared to deal with the pressure that will come with this season, and under Jurgen Klopp, they seem to be going from strength to strength. They’ve got a fantastic attacking prowess and are starting to make some alterations at the back, which should make for another impressive season.

Team News

Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both out through injury, with Fabinho also being a doubt as Liverpool’s World Cup stars attempt to get back to full fitness. Firmino, Salah and Mane will likely reunite once again as the Reds’ dynamic front three.

West Ham

The Hammers have been extremely inconsistent over the course of the last few years, but after a pretty promising transfer window, they’ll be hoping that they can start to cement themselves as a top-half team in the Premier League. Manuel Pellegrini has been able to whip them into shape and is expected to do big things as the manager, but for the fans, it’s just a case of managing expectations. It isn’t going to happen overnight, and they need to take this season one game at a time.

Team News

Yarmolenko, Wilshere & Anderson are expected to give support to Arnautovic up top, with Lucas Perez being the possible dark horse for the Hammers. Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll are all out with injuries.

Factors to Consider

• The game will be played at Anfield.
• Liverpool lead 73-28 in the head to head rankings against West Ham, with 36 draws.
• Last season, the Reds won both games against West Ham 4-1.
• Liverpool finished 4th in the Premier League last season.
• West Ham finished 13th in the Premier League last season.

Conclusion

Both sides have improved massively in the summer transfer window – at least on paper. When it comes down to it we have to analyse what these two teams are like on a week to week basis based on what we know, and with that in mind, we can’t see anything other than a Liverpool victory here. We think West Ham could equalise after the Reds take the lead, only for Jurgen Klopp’s side to pull away late on in order to confirm a triumphant 3-1 victory to kick off their campaign.

Prediction: Liverpool win

Best Odds: 1/4

Bookmaker: bet365