After what was a disappointing beginning to this season, Everton have begun to find the sort of form which had them challenging for a Champions League spot last season. They may only be in 10th at the moment but they have not lot in their last six games in all competitions and have suffered just one defeat in their last nine. They may struggle to break into the top four but Roberto Martinez firmly believe his players can match the performance of last season. One area they will have to improve on if they are to do that is winning more games at home. They have only won one of their five games at Goodison Park in the league.
West Ham have surprised many with their start to this season and they can consider themselves slightly unlucky that they do not have more points at this stage. Despite occupying fourth at the moment, on goal difference, they were unfortunate not to take all three points in their last game against Aston Villa in a match they dominated from start to finish. It may not have been the result they wanted, or deserved, but it can’t deflect from their overall form and if you said to Sam Allardyce, his players and the club’s supporters that they would be three points behind current champions Man City after three months at the start of the season, they would have struggled to believe it.
One of the biggest challenges for Martinez and his players was sustaining their domestic form of last season and competing in the Europa League. Teams can often come unstuck combining the two but Everton looked to have avoided a huge drop-off in their domestic performances. They are only four points off the top four and look like progressing to the knock-out stages in Europe following an unbeaten first four games in the competition. The aim is surely to qualify for Europe again so that the club can become more accustomed to competing in both, rather than seeing it as rarity.
West Ham only have to look at Everton as their inspiration if they want to qualify for Europe through the Premier League. They have made a statement by strengthening the squad with a better quality of player which the board will be hoping results in a much improved league position. Whether that is this season or in the near future remains to be seen, but when you factor in the move to the Olympic Stadium then the future looks very bright for Hammers fans.
This is set to be one of the more attractive fixtures of this weekend as both sides have reason to be optimistic. Everton look set to be in Europe after Christmas and look a better side than they did earlier in the season whilst West Ham have enjoyed an excellent campaign thus far. The home side will take the game to their opponents (as Martinez’ side always do at home) which should suit West Ham’s counter attacking style. With that in mind it’s a game where I fancy goals so take the overs here.
Over 2.5 goals 3/4 Betvictor
