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Remind me next time

This London derby is always a feisty affair but there is even more riding on it than usual given the situations that the clubs find themselves in. Ray Corniche looks ahead to Wednesday’s clash at the London Stadium that will have an impact at both ends of the table.

Who are the favourites in the West Ham v Arsenal betting odds? Arsenal @ 4/6 BET NOW

With Manchester City seemingly having wrapped up the Premier League title already, a top-four berth and return to the Champions League is the best that Arsenal can hope for. The Gunners currently sit in fifth place on 29 points but are still well in touch with all the clubs above them, bar City.

The problem for Arsene Wenger this term has been consistency as his men have won nine top-flight games but lost five already, and a club that built its reputation on a solid defence over the years has been too open.
A mini-revival had seen the north Londoners climb the standings but a perennial failure to deal with the top sides with another loss to Manchester United followed by a draw against Southampton has set them back.

They will be desperate to bounce back to winning ways against the Hammers and, as ever, Wenger has urged his men to respond but it remains to be seen if they can do just that.

The West Ham v Arsenal odds reflect the fact that the East Londoners are struggling and, while Arsenal push towards the top four, a season-long battle with relegation is likely to be in the offing for West Ham.

The appointment of David Moyes as manager was not met with universal approval but the Scot did manage to get his first win in West Ham colours when they pulled off a shock home victory over champions Chelsea last time out.

That will doubtless have given his beleaguered players a shot in the arm that they can compete with the best and so the visit of the former Premier League champions will not be met with too much trepidation.

The challenge now is to build on that success and there seems little doubt that Moyes will look to strengthen his side in January, with a striker certainly on his wish-list. The London Stadium side have scored just 14 league goals all campaign while shipping 32 and their current place among the bottom three is justified.

Both these clubs have problems as Arsenal have players set to slip out of contract and leave in the summer and it is open to debate if the team spirit is really there while West Ham must find their identity once again.

West Ham v Arsenal Tips – West Ham @ 9/2 BET NOW

The Hammers are clear outsiders to win this one but, with the wind in their sails and the prospect of moving out of the relegation zone with all three points, it would be no surprise to see them take down another of the league’s top sides and pull off a narrow victory on home soil.