West Ham v Liverpool predictions and free football tips: Hammers are flying

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

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 4.30pm Sunday

Best bet

West Ham
1pt 7-2 Betfair

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Team news

West Ham
Arthur Masuaku (knee) remains unavailable.

Liverpool
Joel Matip (ankle) is a major doubt and Fabinho (muscle strain) has joined Virgil van Dijk, Naby Keita, Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez on the sidelines.

Match preview

Liverpool returned to the Premier League's top four with a comfortable 3-1 victory at Tottenham on Thursday but they could be swiftly replaced by fast-improving West Ham, who look overpriced to defeat the Reds at the London Stadium.

There was nothing fortunate about the Reds' success over Spurs, which was as dominant as it gets away to a big-six rival and could easily have been by a wider margin.

Jurgen Klopp's side carved out several clear-cut chances, winning the shot count 14-3, and their defence had a relatively easy ride from the moment Tottenham talisman Harry Kane sustained the second of his two ankle injuries.

However, there was one major negative for the Merseysiders, who lost Joel Matip with a first-half ankle problem.

Matip's condition will be assessed before kick-off but Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are definite absentees, so Liverpool will be without three and possibly four of their centre-back options.

Jordan Henderson and Nat Phillips featured in the second half at Spurs and coped comfortably enough against the lone threat of Heung-Min Son, but a very different challenge awaits them against an in-form West Ham side spearheaded by Michail Antonio.

The Hammers have muscled in on the race for Champions League qualification with a superb start to 2021 and their muscular centre-forward has played a key role, contributing five goals in just 12 league appearances.

Antonio's pace and power make him a nightmare to play against and it is no coincidence that his return from injury has come at the same time as a four-match Premier League winning streak, which is the Hammers' best effort since December 2018.

The 30-year-old's qualities are complemented by winger Jarrod Bowen, who has contributed five goals and three assists in his first full Premier League campaign, and attacking midfielder Said Benrahma, who is showing his true quality after taking a while to win over David Moyes.

Friday's announcement of Benrahma's permanent signing from Brentford was another piece of good news for the Hammers and there is no reason why their week cannot get even better.

Apart from being hampered by defensive injuries, Liverpool are disadvantaged by having had two fewer days to prepare than their hosts.

Playing a second game in four days could be a lot to ask for some of Klopp's players, including 35-year-old midfielder James Milner, who was outstanding against Tottenham.

It would be natural for Liverpool's intensity level to drop slightly and that may be all the encouragement needed for West Ham to chalk up their fifth successive league win.

Key stat

West Ham have won their last six matches.

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