Arsenal vs. West Ham Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 22 February 2025 - bettingexpert

Arsenal welcomes West Ham to the Emirates Stadium on 22 February 2025 for their Premier League clash. With the Gunners firmly in the title race, sitting 2nd with 53 points, and West Ham battling relegation in 16th place with 27 points, this match holds significant weight for both sides. Arsenal’s injury crisis, missing key attackers like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, has thrust Mikel Merino into the spotlight. Merino recently showcased his versatility by scoring twice against Leicester. Craig Pawson will be refereeing the match, his 15th of the season.

West Ham, under new manager Graham Potter, has struggled defensively, conceding 11 goals in their last two encounters with Arsenal and failing to keep a clean sheet in six matches. Despite their form woes, West Ham will look to striker Jarrod Bowen for inspiration.
With Arsenal in better form and unbeaten at home for 15 matches, our match tips suggest a bet on both teams to score at odds of 2.32. The Gunners have also conceded five goals in their last three home games, giving West Ham a glimmer of hope.

Arsenal vs West Ham Prediction & Betting tip

Given the current form and statistics, our recommended betting tip is for both teams to score (Yes). This is supported by Arsenal’s defensive frailties at home and West Ham’s ability to find the net in recent away games.

• Arsenal have conceded five goals in their last three home games, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities.
• West Ham have scored at least one goal in each of their last five away matches, showing their potential to breach Arsenal’s defense.
• Arsenal have scored in 9 consecutive matches in this tournament, increasing the likelihood of a high-scoring game.

With these points in mind, betting on both teams to score seems like a solid choice for this fixture.

Arsenal vs West Ham Prediction & Betting Tip

As we gear up for the Arsenal vs West Ham clash, let’s dive into what makes this match an exciting one on the Premier League calendar. Both teams have shown periods of promise but also areas of vulnerability.

Key Match Insights

• Arsenal’s Recent Home Form: The Gunners have been somewhat shaky defensively at home, conceding five goals in their last three matches at the Emirates Stadium. This is a concern as they face a West Ham team that knows how to find the back of the net.
• West Ham’s Away Performance: The Hammers have been impressive on the road, scoring in each of their last five away fixtures. This ability to score consistently away from home means West Ham poses a real threat to Arsenal’s goal.
• Arsenal’s Scoring Streak: Arsenal have been relentless in their attacking play, netting goals in nine consecutive matches in this tournament. This makes it highly likely that they will contribute to the scoreboard in this encounter.

The combination of an Arsenal side that is potent in attack yet fragile at the back and a West Ham side capable of scoring makes this game ripe for both teams to find the net.

Betting Tip & Prediction

Given the current form and statistics, our recommended betting tip is for both teams to score (Yes). Let’s break down why:

• Defensive Issues at Arsenal: The Gunners’ defensive vulnerabilities are clear, particularly at home.
• West Ham’s Scoring Record: The Hammers have demonstrated the ability to score away from home, ensuring they are likely to breach Arsenal’s defense.
• High-Scoring Potential: Arsenal’s consistent scoring run points to a game that could see goals from both sides.

With these points in mind, placing a bet on both teams to score seems like a solid choice for anyone looking to add some excitement to this fixture. Whether you’re a Gunners fan or cheering for the Hammers, this is set to be an engaging encounter with plenty of action.

Arsenal Team Analysis

Arsenal Recent Performance

Arsenal have been in good form lately, with three wins from their last five matches. They have shown their attacking prowess, averaging 2.00 goals in their last five games, but their defense has been slightly inconsistent.

In their recent outings, they managed two clean sheets but also showed vulnerability at the back, conceding five goals in other matches.
With key injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal have turned to players like Leandro Trossard and the versatile Mikel Merino, who scored twice against Leicester.

Arsenal Key Players

Despite their injury woes, Arsenal has a number of key players set to make an impact in this clash against West Ham.

Mikel Merino has been a revelation, stepping up magnificently to fill the void left by injured stars Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. Merino’s recent brace against Leicester showcased his versatility and scoring prowess.

Captain Martin Ødegaard remains a pivotal figure in midfield, orchestrating the play and linking up effectively with Merino and Leandro Trossard, who is also expected to spearhead the attack.

Key individual battles to watch include Ethan Nwaneri taking on experienced defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arsenal’s defense, led by William Saliba, coping with the threat posed by West Ham’s in-form forward, Jarrod Bowen.

Expected lineup for Arsenal:

• Goalkeeper: David Raya
• Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Midfielders: Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice
• Attackers: Ethan Nwaneri, Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling

Arsenal Suspensions & Injuries

Arsenal will face West Ham with several key injuries that might affect their overall performance.

The absence of star players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz will be keenly felt, especially in the attacking third. Their potential returns are staggered, with some out for the season. Mikel Merino’s recent performances have provided a much-needed boost, and youngsters like Ethan Nwaneri will have to step up.

Arsenal Tactics and Formation

Arsenal Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Leandro Trossard
• Midfield Trio: Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Strong attack during the 61-75-minute interval.

Mikel Arteta’s side is known for its dynamic and offensive 4-3-3 formation.
With key attackers Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus out, Arsenal will rely heavily on Leandro Trossard to lead the line.
The midfield trio of Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, and Declan Rice provides both defensive solidity and a creative spark.
Defensively, Arsenal has remained strong, conceding only five goals in their last five matches.
The team’s attacking play tends to peak in the 61-75-minute period, a crucial interval where they often make the difference.

West Ham Team Analysis

West Ham Recent Performance

West Ham’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with only one win in their last five Premier League games. Their last five results are:

West Ham have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of these matches. They’ve averaged 1 goal per game over this period, which shows some attacking promise despite their overall struggles. David Moyes’ side will need to improve defensively if they want to escape the relegation zone in their remaining matches.

West Ham Key Players

Expected lineup for West Ham:

• Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
• Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Emerson
• Midfielders: Edson Álvarez, Tomáš Souček, Jarrod Bowen, Carlos Soler, Mohammed Kudus
• Forward: Evan Ferguson

Jarrod Bowen tops the scoring charts for West Ham with 6 goals. His pace and directness will be crucial against Arsenal’s formidable defense.

Edson Álvarez and Tomáš Souček form the spine of the team in midfield. They will play a pivotal role in breaking up Arsenal’s attacks and providing the first pass to transition from defense to attack.

Alphonse Areola in goal will need to be at his best to keep Arsenal’s attackers at bay, especially given their high average goals scored in recent games. Keep an eye on the battles between defenders like Wan-Bissaka and Arsenal’s forwards, which could be decisive.

West Ham Suspensions & Injuries

West Ham will certainly feel the absence of Michail Antonio. His physical presence and ability to hold up play are crucial, especially in tight matches like this. Niclas Füllkrug’s absence will reduce attacking options, putting additional pressure on the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta to deliver upfront.

Crysencio Summerville’s pace and creativity down the flanks will also be missed. These injuries may force Graham Potter to adjust his tactics and rely more on his bench.

West Ham Tactics and Formation

West Ham’s Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Evan Ferguson
• Midfield Trio: Edson Álvarez, Tomáš Souček, Carlos Soler
• Defensive Setup: Backline anchored by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson

Graham Potter has been varying the formations, but based on recent matches, a 4-2-3-1 setup is anticipated. This enables a solid defensive midfield duo of Álvarez and Souček to shield the backline, while Carlos Soler orchestrates playmaking duties. Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus add width and pace on the flanks, looking to feed Evan Ferguson, the focal point in the attack. Potter’s side has been vulnerable at the back, especially considering no clean sheets in the last five games, so their strategy might emphasize a balanced approach.

Arsenal vs West Ham Head-to-Head Statistics

The previous encounters between these teams have generally been high-scoring affairs. Arsenal has notably thrashed West Ham in more recent matches, but the Hammers have historically held their own with some key victories.
Expect a spirited contest given their unpredictable outcomes. Arsenal’s strong home form also tips the balance in their favour.

Odds accurate as of 20.02.2025 15:02, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.