Two sides with big ambitions meet in the Premier League's televised evening game and George Pitts is expecting a close contest.
Recommended bets
1pt 2+ corners each team in each half at 3/1
For advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
West Ham v Everton (1730 GMT kick-off)
- BT Sport 1, London Stadium
Two of last summer's big spenders collide in Saturday evening's TV game as they look to kick on in the latter stages of the season.
West Ham sit ninth and firmly in the hunt to finish best of the rest, thanks in part to their dramatic comeback against Huddersfield before the international break. They were trailing 3-1 with little over 15 minutes to play before a flurry of goals ensured their unbeaten run at the London Stadium extended to seven matches in all competitions.
The break in play also came at a wrong time for Everton, who secured a shock home win - and a clean sheet - over Chelsea to quieten rumours surrounding Marco Silva's future.
Both sides have undoubted quality in their ranks and knowledgeable managers, but consistency has been a problem for them this term and they will be hoping for a win on Saturday to set them up for a strong finish.
Betting guide
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Everton (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)
A really tough one to call after the international break, between teams closely matched in the table, and the feeling is it could be neck and neck. Both teams scoring looks likely but we expect them to cancel each other out by full-time. The Hammers have a good record in front of their own fans of late, with four wins and two draw in their last six in the league, and they can at least extend that unbeaten run here.
Best bet: 2+ corners each team in each half at 3/1
A tough match in the betting considering how difficult it is to call, so a nicely priced bet on the corners is worth a play. These sides average five corners per game this season and, with chances at both ends, two corners each in each half is not a big ask given how we expect this game to pan out.
Goals/Stats: First West Ham goalscorer - Javier Hernandez at 23/10
Chicharito should get the nod over Marko Arnautovic after bagging a brace in the comeback against Huddersfield last time out. The 30-year-old, who averages nearly two shots per game in the league, kept that run up with a goal for Mexico in the international break and can get the better of an Everton defence that proved suspect in their last away outing at Newcastle. Backing him as the hosts' first goalscorer gives you a better price than the 7/4 anytime.
RequestABet: Javier Hernandez and Richarlison both to score, 4+ corners each team at 12/1
Opta stats
- West Ham have won their last two Premier League games against Everton, one more than they managed in their previous 19 against the Toffees (W1 D6 L12).
- Everton haven’t lost three consecutive league matches against West Ham since a run of four between April 1929 and December 1931.
- In what is the 63rd season in which West Ham and Everton have faced in league competition, the Hammers are looking to complete only their fourth double over the Toffees (also 1926-27, 1929-30 and 1972-73).
- West Ham are unbeaten in their last six Premier League home games (W4 D2), winning the last three in a row. They last won four at home consecutively in the top-flight back in May 2002 under Glenn Roeder.
- West Ham haven’t lost any of their last 17 Premier League games in which they’ve scored at least once since a 1-3 loss at Arsenal in August – the longest current such run in the division (W12 D5).
- Everton are winless in their last 10 Premier League games played in London (D3 L7) since a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in January 2017.
- West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has only faced Newcastle United (eight times) more often in the Premier League without losing than he has against Everton (P7 W5 D2 L0).
- Everton manager Marco Silva is winless in nine matches in London in all competitions (W0 D1 L8).
- Manuel Lanzini has scored three Premier League goals in three home appearances for West Ham against Everton, scoring once at Upton Park in 2015-16 and a brace at London Stadium on the final day of the 2017-18 season.
- West Ham striker Javier Hernandez has scored all 52 of his Premier League goals from inside the box – only Tim Cahill (56 goals) has scored more exclusively from inside the box in the competition’s history.
Odds correct as of 1300 GMT on 29/03/19
