West Ham United 2021-22 Premier League Preview
Can Moyes’ Men Build on Last Year?
West Ham United had an outstanding season under the experienced David Moyes last term, with the Scot guiding the London club to European football. The Hammers flirted with the top four before eventually finishing in sixth place and booking their spot in the UEFA Europa League.
As the Irons juggle the Premier League, Europe and domestic cup competitions this season, Moyes will surely bolster his already talented squad before the window shuts. Can the east London club build on last season’s success and secure another top-six finish? Read on for the latest West Ham betting odds and top tips.
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Table of Contents
- 1 2020-21 Review: Hammers reach Europe
- 2 2021-22 Fixtures: Irons start at St James’
- 3 West Ham United Transfer News: Moyes to bolster his squad?
- 4 Who Are United’s Biggest Challengers: Another thrilling battle for Europe
- 5 Leicester City Preview: Can the Foxes finally break into top four?
- 6 Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Who will take Spurs to next level?
- 7 Arsenal Preview: Gunners desperate to get back into Europe
- 8 West Ham Players to Keep an Eye On in 2021-22 Season: Main man Rice to shine?
- 9 Our West Ham United Predictions: Top six again
2020-21 Review: Hammers reach Europe
West Ham had a sensational season last time around, shocking many by breaking into Europe. They began their league campaign with back-to-back defeats to Newcastle United and Arsenal before going on to lose just one of the following eight. During that impressive run, the Hammers picked up wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Fulham, Sheffield United and Aston Villa.
West Ham kicked off 2021 in stunning style. On New Year’s Day, a Tomas Soucek goal gave them a deserved 1-0 victory at Everton, which was the start of a four-game winning streak. After a 3-2 success at Crystal Palace on 26th January, United were flying high in the top four.
Moyes’ troops still had top-four aspirations with a handful of games to go. However, three defeats in four from mid-April to early May put paid to their slim UEFA Champions League dreams. Nonetheless, the Irons picked up a superb 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on the penultimate weekend, which all but confirmed their Europa League spot.
The Londoners ended a memorable league season with a 3-0 home win over Southampton in front of 10,000 fans at the London Stadium, with Pablo Fornals (2) and Declan Rice getting the goals. They finished above the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Everton in sixth place, picking up 65 points from 38 games. West Ham won 19, drew eight and lost 11, scoring 62 and conceding 47.
The supporters usually play a huge role in West Ham’s success at home, but like everybody else, the Londoners had to do without their home fans last season. Nevertheless, Moyes’ side were excellent on their own patch, collecting 34 points from 19 at the London Stadium. Only champions Manchester City had a better home record.
2021-22 Fixtures: Irons start at St James’
West Ham start the 2021-22 season with a trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle. Last year, the Magpies did the double over the Hammers, and they have caused the London club plenty of problems over the years. After that one, United have back-to-back home matches against Leicester and Crystal Palace.
West Ham entertain Tottenham in late October before playing Liverpool and Man City in November. December starts with a home fixture with rivals Chelsea, while they also play Arsenal in the festive month. West Ham kick off 2022 with a trip to Selhurst Park to take on Palace.
The club’s final home game of the campaign will be against Pep Guardiola’s Man City, who will be hoping to retain their title this term. The last match of the 2021-22 season for the Irons will see them make the trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion on 22nd May.
West Ham United Key Facts
- West Ham finished in sixth with 65 points to their name last season
- The Hammers have won the FA Cup three times
- In the 1985-86 season, United finished third, which was their highest top-tier position
- The Irons had the second best home record in the top flight last season
West Ham United Transfer News: Moyes to bolster his squad?
The West Ham boss will no doubt look to strengthen his squad for the upcoming season. With more games to play, the Hammers could do with a few new faces in the side. The rumour mill has been turning, with West Ham being linked with several signings since last season ended.
One name that keeps popping up is Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard. The England international had a phenomenal time on loan at the London Stadium in the second half of last season, scoring nine Premier League goals. His form dipped right at the end, but the loan capture of Lingard was a genius bit of business by the club. At the time of writing, the 28-year-old is priced at 1/2 to make a permanent move to the capital.
West Ham are also the current favourites to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who could be surplus to requirements at Anfield. Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was superb for Fulham during his time at Craven Cottage, has also been heavily linked. Several other names have been mentioned in the past few weeks, and a load more will be linked until the window shuts.
Who Are United’s Biggest Challengers: Another thrilling battle for Europe
West Ham did exceptionally well to break into the Premier League’s top six last season, but replicating that success this term will be a tough task for the Irons. With the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United battling for the title, while Tottenham, Arsenal and Leicester – among others – will be looking to gate-crash the Champions League places, the race for Europe is set to be as captivating as ever. Let’s take a look at who are likely to be West Ham’s biggest rivals this season.
Leicester City Preview: Can the Foxes finally break into top four?
Since arriving from Celtic, Brendan Rodgers has done an exceptional job at the King Power Stadium. The ex-Liverpool manager has almost taken the Foxes into the Champions League twice, missing out on the final weekend in each of the last two seasons. However, they did beat Chelsea in the final to win the FA Cup last term.
City have a very talented squad, and the front two of Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy worked wonders last term. If they keep hold of the superb Youri Tielemans, who scored Leicester’s FA Cup final winning goal last term, the Foxes could be a team to watch out for once again this term.
Tottenham Hotspur Preview: Who will take Spurs to next level?
By their high standards, Tottenham had a pretty poor campaign last time around. The club decided to sack Jose Mourinho a few days before the EFL Cup final, while they missed out on Champions League football altogether. However, they did book their place in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.
At this moment in time, Spurs have yet to announce a new manager for the upcoming season, though former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is the heavy favourite to sign on the dotted line at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After Mourinho was relieved of his duties, young Ryan Mason did a sterling job as interim boss. With the right man at the helm, Tottenham are more than capable of breaking back into the top four, even if Kane does move on.
Arsenal Preview: Gunners desperate to get back into Europe
Arsenal have been going backwards in recent years, but there have been signs of life under Mikel Arteta. However, the London club have no European football to contend with for the first time in 26 years – they missed out on the inaugural Europa Conference League to rivals Tottenham on the last day.
Nevertheless, no European football could be a blessing as the Gunners look to break back into the top four. Arteta will be hoping to add one or two superstar faces to his XI before the new campaign gets underway, while the fans will be desperate for European football to return to the Emirates Stadium after a season away.
West Ham Players to Keep an Eye On in 2021-22 Season: Main man Rice to shine?
West Ham’s team may not be a talented as others on paper, but Moyes has several top-quality players in his squad. The Czech duo of Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have been excellent additions, while Michail Antonio has enjoyed plenty of success as the Hammers’ main striker in recent seasons.
One man really stands out in the crowd, though, and that man is skipper Rice. The England international is capable of walking into any midfield in the Premier League, and the West Ham board will do well to fend off even more interest for their hottest star this summer.
Our West Ham United Predictions: Top six again
West Ham were the surprise package in the Premier League last season. Like we said, repeating the same intensity and consistency will take some doing, but this current crop of West Ham players are certainly capable.
Several clubs will have the same ambitions as the Hammers, but we fancy them to finish in the top six one again. Paddy Power are offering the tempting odds of 11/2 for the east London outfit to secure a top-six finish at the end of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
