The busy festive period of fixtures begins for Premier League clubs and on Saturday afternoon, West Ham United welcome Watford to the London Stadium.
This match presents a great opportunity for West Ham to consolidate their position in the top half of the Premier League and potentially move above Manchester United, into 6th place. However, they cannot afford to be complacent against Watford.
The Hornets are one place below West Ham in the table ahead of the weekend fixtures but have a slightly worse goal difference. A win for Watford would take them above West Ham, so there is all to play for in this match.
West Ham have been in great form in the Premier League recently and have won each of their last four games. There have been wins over Cardiff City and Crystal Palace at home plus victories over Newcastle United and Fulham away from home.
Trends show West Ham have lost only one of their last eight Premier League matches and their attacking play has been very good of late. The Hammers have scored 2 or more goals in each of their last four league games, scoring 3 goals in the wins over Newcastle, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.
West Ham have been exciting to watch in recent games and have seen over 2.5 goals in four of their last five matches in all competitions. However, a clean sheet would be welcome in this game having conceded twice against Crystal Palace in their previous home match.
Watford got back to winning ways last weekend as they defeated Cardiff City 3-2 at Vicarage Road. That result means they have picked up 4 points in their last two matches following the good 2-2 draw at Everton on the 10th December.
However, trends show Watford struggle when playing away from home and the Hornets have won only three of their last twenty-three away matches in all competitions. Scoring goals has been a big problem and Watford have failed to find the back of the net in eleven of their last sixteen away Premier League games.
Watford have also kept just a single clean sheet in their last fourteen away Premier League matches and need to show an improvement at both ends of the pitch.
Looking ahead to the team news and West Ham continue to be without the injured striker Marko Arnautovic. He joins Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini, Carlos Sanchez, Andriy Yarmolenko and Jack Wilshere on the treatment table.
Watford have injury concerns of their own and Sebastian Prodl, Andre Gray, Will Hughes and Adalberto Penaranda will miss out. Etienne Capoue returns from suspension and should start the game.
West Ham have won their last four Premier League games and coupled with Watford’s poor away form, this match should end in a home win.