Aston Villa v West Ham predictions: Soucek can stay amongst the goals

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Aston Villa v West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday.

When to bet

2pm Sunday

Best bet

Tomas Soucek to score at any time
1pt 7-1 bet365

Team news

Aston Villa
Ludwig Augustinsson is expected to return after missing the EFL Cup win over Bolton. Diego Carlos is a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.

West Ham
Vladimir Coufal is available after concussion but the game comes too soon for Craig Dawson. New signing Emerson Palmieri is expected to make the matchday squad.

Match preview

West Ham have yet to score in the Premier League this season but that hasn't been for the want of trying on midfielder Tomas Soucek’s part.

The Hammers sit bottom of the table and pointless after three games but they recorded a morale-boosting Europa Conference League win in midweek over Viborg, where Soucek opened his account for the season.

The Czech bagged a couple in pre-season and has been threatening to get on the scoresheet for the last few games, boasting the highest expected-goals figure (0.87) among the West Ham squad having recorded seven attempts in the clashes with Nottingham Forest and Brighton.

The price for the Hammers hardman to score in back-to-back games is too tempting to ignore given Villa’s unconvincing start and their recent defensive issues.

Under-pressure Villa boss Steven Gerrard named a strong team for the 4-1 EFL Cup win at Bolton last time out but the League One side broke through his paper-thin backline to take the lead, making it nine games without a clean sheet for Villa.

Key stat

West Ham have scored on five of their last seven visits to Aston Villa

Inside info

Aston Villa

Penalty taker Ollie Watkins/Danny Ings
Assist ace Ollie Watkins
Set-piece aerial threat Ollie Watkins
Card magnet Danny Ings

West Ham

Penalty taker Declan Rice
Assist ace Jarrod Bowen
Set-piece aerial threat Kurt Zouma
Card magnet Declan Rice

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