West Ham vs. Stoke is bound to be a duel filled with excitements. The reason is simple – both of these teams need points in order to ensure they’re gonna stay in the Premier League for another season. Losing this match might mean relegation, so you can be sure we’re gonna see a real battle on the pitch of London Stadium. To get more useful information about this clash, make sure to check out this match preview and betting tips!
West Ham
Although there’s still theoretical chance for West Ham to get relegated, I think such scenario is highly unlikely to happen. This team has six points more than the closest team that’s in the relegation zone (Southampton), but the Hammers have played one game less.
What this means is that if West Ham beat Stoke, they will have nothing to worry about losing their place in the Premier League. But, do they have what it takes to win all three points on Monday? Well, it seems that they’re in the middle of a good run. After losing three games in a row, they’ve started playing much better. First they beat Southampton 3:0 at home and then they drew against Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge.
The Hammers do have many problems with injuries. In fact, there are seven players who are having problems with fitness at the moment. Still, it seems that most of their key men are fit and ready for the clash with Stoke.
Stoke
This might be the decisive game for Stoke. If they lose, they probably won’t be able to move away from the relegation zone. Right now, they’re at the second-to-bottom position, with six points less than Swansea who are in the safe zone. What means is that even if they manage to beat the Hammers, their destiny would remain undecided.
Stoke are without a win since January, which is another thing that’s making their fans not too optimistic ahead of this game. Furthermore, this team has lost four previous games, scoring only twice along the way.
And same as West Ham, Stoke also have serious problems with absentees. But, unlike West Ham, Stoke will miss some of their key men on Monday.
Team News
West Ham absentees:
- Winston Reid (injury)
- Pedro Obiang (injury)
- James Collins (injury)
- Andrew Carroll (injury)
- Samuel Byram (injury)
- Michail Antonio (injury)
- Manuel Lanzini (doubtful)
Stoke absentees:
- Maxim Choupo-Moting (injury)
- Lee Grant (injury)
- Konstantinos Stafylidis (injury)
- Charlie Adam (suspension)
- Ibrahim Afellay (suspension)
- Jese (suspension)
Possible Lineups
West Ham
Hart – Ogbonna, Rice, Cresswell – Noble, Kouyate, Zabaleta, Evra, Joao Mario – Chicharito, Arnautovic
Stoke
Butland – Shawcross, Martins Indi, Johnson, Pieters – Allen, Ndiaye, Bauer, Sobhi – Shaquiri, Diouf
West Ham vs. Stoke Match Prediction
West Ham surely have a positive mindset ahead of the clash with Stoke. They played really well in the last two games, so their fans are hopeful for a similar kind of performances on Monday.
Speaking of fans, it’s fair to assume that the grudge between them and the players is over, meaning that the Hammers will have massive support from the stands at the London Stadium. Considering that Stoke are terrible in away matches (only one win in 16 away matches this season), that can mean quite a lot.
All considered, I think West Ham will crush Stoke’s dream of avoiding relegation. They simply seem much stronger at this moment.
West Ham vs. Stoke Betting Tips
- West Ham @2.00 (bet365)
- Double Chances 1X @1.25 (bet365)
