West Ham v Aston Villa: betting preview, free tip & TV channel

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Ham United v Aston Villa on Sunday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 4pm Sunday

Best bet

Michail Antonio first goalscorer
1pt each-way 6-1 bet365

Team news

West Ham
Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Cresswell face late tests while Felipe Anderson could feature.

Aston Villa
Ahmed Elmohamady is ruled out with a hamstring injury but Neil Taylor may be available.

Match preview

The clash at the London Stadium had all the makings of a titanic relegation battle but Aston Villa are the only combatants whose Premier League status is at risk.

West Ham have gained vital wins against Norwich and Watford at exactly the right time and their 1-0 reverse at home to Burnley has been their only defeat in their last six matches.

And they should have gained plenty of confidence from their 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Their improved run could not have been more timely. Villa are a making an even later escape bid but they are the only team in the race to avoid the drop who have their fate in their own hands.

Dean Smith's team looked doomed after their 3-0 loss to Manchester United but they have given themselves a chance.

Beating Crystal Palace 2-0 gave them a shout and while they were disappointed not to collect three points at Everton when they were stung by a late Theo Walcott equaliser, their 1-0 home win over Arsenal helped them leap over Watford with one game to go.

With the Hornets heading to Arsenal needing something, a point in the East End may be enough for Villa and they are likely to be positive, spearheaded by their talismanic midfielder Jack Grealish.

They are capable of creating chances against a team whose only two clean sheets in their last 20 games have come against strugglers Bournemouth and relegated Norwich.

The Hammers are likely to play with a degree of freedom too, which should mean they have opportunities of their own.

Four of their last six games have featured at least four goals and this could be another entertaining affair, as is illustrated by over 2.5 goals being chalked up at 4-6.

One player who can trouble the visitors is Michail Antonio, who is flourishing as the spearhead of the Hammers' attack.

He has scored in five of West Ham's last six games, including all the goals in their 4-0 win at Norwich, and first-goalscorer quotes of 6-1 make him an excellent each-way proposition.

Key stat

West Ham have kept just two clean sheets in their last 20 matches.

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