Runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool face a trip to West Ham on Wednesday, to play their game in hand. Jurgen Klopp’s men, who are on course to record an unbeaten season in England’s top flight, will make it 15 consecutive league wins if they secure all three points in the capital. The Hammers are just above the relegation zone and desperately need points. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here.
The Hammers hover just above the relegation zone and they seriously need to start winning games. However, things might get worse for them given they host champions-in-waiting, Liverpool in this match. A change of manager brought a brief impact which saw them beat fellow relegation strugglers Bournemouth 4-0 at home. Since that huge win, they lost two of their next three league games which left them 17th, level on 23 points with the 18th-placed Cherries. Can they stun the flying Reds?
The Reds can make it 15 straight league wins as they head towards their first-ever Premier League title. Their lead at the top of the table can be stretched to an almost unassailable 19 points. Despite drawing 2-2 against Shrewsbury over the weekend, the Red juggernaut is unstoppable at the moment and it would take something special to overcome them.
Betting preview
Liverpool have won the first half in each of their last ten matches in the Premier League. The Hammers have lost the first half in four of their last five meetings with Liverpool. You can therefore back a Liverpool First Half Win at odds of 1.75.
Five of the last six meetings between these two sides have seen at least three goals. Four of West Ham’s last five home league games have yielded three or more goals, while four of Liverpool’s last five away league matches have seen Over 2.5 Goals. That being so, you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.50.
Mohamed Salah has scored four goals in four appearances against the Hammers. The Egyptian forward has also scored 15 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions this season. You can back Mohamed Salah as Anytime Goalscorer at odds of 2.05.
Team news
Lukasz Fabianski, Felipe Anderson, Ryan Fredericks, Andriy Yarmolenko and Jack Wilshere are all sidelined, while Robert Snodgrass and Arthur Masuaku are doubts and will be assessed ahead of kickoff. Captain Mark Noble, Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna are among the players expected to return to the starting line-up
Naby Keita should return after making the bench over the weekend against Shrewsbury. Klopp will also be sweating on the fitness of his star forward Sadio Mane who came off injured in their last league match against Wolves.
Possible line-ups
West Ham: Randolph, Zabaleta, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Snodgrass, Lanzini, Fornals, Antonio.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Origi