Liverpool v West Ham: match betting preview, prediction & free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v West Ham in the Premier League on Monday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 8pm Monday

Best bet

Liverpool to win 2-0
1pt 7-1 bet365
Bet on this tip with bet365 here
Liverpool to win 3-0
1pt 7-1 bet365
Bet on this tip with bet365 here

Team news

Liverpool
Skipper Jordan Henderson is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury. Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne are also unavailable.

West Ham
Ryan Fredericks joins Jack Wilshere and Andriy Yarmolenko on the sidelines.

Match preview

Five days after being brushed aside at Manchester City, the pressure is on West Ham as their scrap for survival goes up another notch with a visit to Anfield to face Premier League champions-elect Liverpool.

The Hammers’ winless run was extended to seven games by Wednesday’s limp display at the Etihad, where they managed just three efforts at goal, none of which were on target, in a 2-0 defeat.

It was their fourth consecutive away loss and the sixth time in 13 attempts they have failed to notch on their travels.

Good things were expected of West Ham following another heavy summer of investment but their headline arrivals have failed to make an impact, leaving them 18th and embroiled in a relegation scrap.

The big-money purchase of Sebastien Haller from Frankfurt has not yet worked out with the Frenchman netting just six times in 23 appearances, while £25 million arrival Pablo Fornals has contributed just two goals and three assists from his 28 starts.

Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson, who is arguably West Ham’s most influential player on his day, was an unused substitute at City and has not featured since a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United in early January.

Their confidence looks shattered and it is difficult to see their fortunes changing against runaway leaders Liverpool, who were 2-0 victors at the London Stadium just under a month ago.

The gulf in the class should be more evident at Anfield, where the Reds are a perfect 13 from 13.

Jurgen Klopp’s crew have kept clean sheets in their last five home league assignments and they are not lacking for motivation as they remain well on course to smash the 100-point barrier.

Even when performances have lacked their usual zest - last weekend’s narrow 1-0 win at bottom club Norwich was a prime example - Liverpool have found a way and their will to win makes them formidable opponents.

The hamstring injury sustained by skipper Jordan Henderson, who is as short as 6-4 to be named PFA Player of the Year, may unsettle their midfield but there is enough cover in that area with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain able to fill in.

Given West Ham’s struggles in front of goal and Liverpool’s recent resolute displays, a home clean sheet looks likely and a home win to nil is odds-on.

However, it’s worth noting Liverpool have scored four or more in only three of their 13 home wins and punters can seek some extra bang for their buck by splitting their stakes on 2-0 and 3-0 Reds wins.

In 17 of their 26 games, Liverpool have scored on either two or three occasions and West Ham’s main target will be to keep the score respectable at Anfield.