West Ham have a tactical decision to make as they prepare to face Arsenal in the Premier League this afternoon.
David Moyes' record against the established big six is poor - one win and seven defeats in 10 - and was in evidence again in last weekend's dreary 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, but can they afford to go easy on an Arsenal side in 10th?
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta may have to start considering different priorities with the Europa League likely offering a better route to success, although they will be wary of the threat of Leicester and Rangers conquerors Slavia Prague.
Date, time and venue
West Ham vs Arsenal is scheduled for a 3pm GMT kick-off today, March 21, 2021.
The match will be held behind closed doors at London Stadium.
How to watch
TV channel: Today’s match will be televised on /Sky Sports.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the website or Sky Go app.
Team news
West Ham will welcome back Jesse Lingard, who was this week named in the England squad, after being unable to face parent club Manchester United last weekend.
Pablo Fornals could miss out again while Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko are still recovering from injuries.
West Ham provisional squad: Fabianski, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Benrahma, Antonio, Lingard, Martin, Fredericks, Balbuena, Johnson, Alves, Noble, Lanzini, Odubeko, Trott.
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is available after being passed fit following a hamstring injury.
Willian (calf) also missed Thursday's Europa League loss to Olympiacos and could again be sidelined.
Arsenal provisional squad: Leno, Ryan, Bellerin, Chambers, Gabriel, Luiz, Mari, Cedric, Ceballos, Elneny, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Willian, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Nketiah, Martinelli, Balogun.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Arsenal
Moyes will be ruing last week’s drab performance against United and likely not to let that happen again, but Arsenal appear to be made of sterner stuff - just as long as they remain focused. Can see honours being shared in this London derby.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
- West Ham wins: 35
- Draws: 39
- Arsenal wins: 69
Betting odds and tips (subject to change)
- West Ham: 11/5
- Draw: Between 5/2 and 13/5
- Arsenal: 6/4
- 1-1 draw: 13/2
