West Ham’s miserable start to the new Premier League campaign has gone under the radar a little, though the Irons will be under the spotlight this evening when they host Bournemouth at the London Stadium. David Moyes’ troops are hovering just one place above the drop zone and only a victory over the Cherries will help to cool their supporters’ frustrations.
Below, we’ve put together a stats pack for this evening’s tussle with info on cards, corners, shots, shots on target, xG and more from the clubs’ Premier League campaigns. Use our research to construct better bet builders later today, and use my Stats Pack Guide to make the best use of it.
Predicted Lineups
Lucas Paqueta, Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are all in the treatment room for West Ham at present while centre-half Craig Dawson is considered a doubt.
The Irons were beaten 1-0 at Liverpool last Wednesday, though they did manage to win the xG battle at Anfield (2.49 to 2.24) and they were unlucky to leave Merseyside with nothing to show for their efforts.
Lloyd Kelly and David Brooks are both out injured for Bournemouth at present. Cherries boss Gary O’Neil has favoured a 3-4-3 formation since taking the reins on an interim basis.
Expect Philip Billing to occupy a more-advanced role for Bournemouth again this evening. Former West Ham defender Ryan Fredericks should slot in at left-wing back.
Team Stats
West Ham have been struggling to convert their chances this season as evidenced again during their recent defeat at Anfield. The Irons have lodged just 0.82 goals per 90 minutes this term despite posting a considerably higher 1.56 xG.
West Ham have also been clocking more shots (13.40 p/90) than they’ve been conceding at the other end (11.72) – another set of figures that suggests a turnaround in fortunes could be forthcoming.
Bournemouth have scored more often than West Ham this season though the Cherries have conceded almost twice as many goals as the Hammers.
Bournemouth’s shots for (7.81) and shots on target (2.64) for figures per 90 are the lowest in the Premier League this season. Only four clubs have been conceding more corners than the Cherries (5.73 per 90).
Player Shots and Shots on Target
West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca (3.30 shots per 90) has genuine cult hero potential and the Italian striker managed to rack up two attempts at Anfield last week, as did winger Jarrod Bowen.
Michail Antonio (2.29 shots per 90) was on the bench on Merseyside and he could remain there this evening. Said Benrahma (3.01) could be more involved more centrally today with Lucas Paqueta out injured.
Interim Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil has done some tinkering with the Cherries attack since taking charge and Dominic Solanke, Ryan Christie and Philip Billing are your best bets in the shot markets this evening as consequence.
That trio mustered eight attempts between them (Solanke 4, Billing 2, Christie 2) against Southampton last Wednesday and their numbers per 90 should start to climb soon as long as O’Neil is still calling the shots.
Player Goals and Assists
Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Gianluca Scamacca are all tied on two goals each at the top of the goal-scoring charts at West Ham. Both of Scamacca’s strikes have come in his last four appearances (vs Fulham and Wolves).
Tomas Soucek – who bagged 15 Premier League goals in his last two campaigns – has only found the net once this term and the midfielder has gone 11 games for club and country without registering.
Philip Billing is Bournemouth’s leading marksman with three goals this term and the Danish midfielder has scored all of his goals since Gary O’Neil pushed him further forward.
Dominic Solanke has notched an impressive five goal contributions (2G, 3A) in nine appearances for the Cherries. Jefferson Lerma has chipped in twice from midfield and the Colombian scored in Bournemouth’s last away game at Fulham.
West Ham Cards
Thilo Kehrer hasn’t exactly set the world alight since joining West Ham from PSG and the German defender has looked uncomfortable in the Premier League where he has collected three bookings in just nine appearances.
To Kehrer’s left, Aaron Cresswell (two cards) knows how to tackle with extra zeal, while Declan Rice (two cards) is a consistently combative presence as he patrols the areas in front of the Irons’ back four.
Scottish international Ryan Christie (fouled 3.19 times per 90) has been drawing plenty of mistimed challenges this season and his movement is smart enough to put Thilo Kehrer on edge this evening.
Philip Billing (fouled 1.78 times per 90) brings power and guile to the right-hand channels for Bournemouth and the Danish star could entice Cresswell into a meaty tackle or two. Dominic Solanke (2.14) should have Declan Rice on his case when he drops into midfield to add his silky touches to Bournemouth’s build-up play.
Match-Ups to watch
Thilo Kehrer vs Ryan Christie
Aaron Cresswell vs Philip Billing
Declan Rice vs Dominic Solanke
Bournemouth Cards
Adam Smith was a card machine for Bournemouth in the campaign’s early exchanges, though he hasn’t seen yellow since the end of August. Nevertheless, he still commits his fair share of fouls and he gave away three free kicks against Southampton last time out.
Fellow centre-half Chris Mepham was carded for the third time this season when he was cautioned against the Saints and though Jefferson Lerma didn’t sneak onto our list, the tough-tackling Colombian is a consistent fouler and has been booked once this term.
Jarrod Bowen’s bursts inside from the flank are incredibly menacing and the winger has been fouled 2.29 times per 90 by panicky defenders. Bowen could stretch Chris Mepham with similar runs today.
With Michail Antonio unlikely to start at centre-forward, Gianluca Scamacca should earn plenty of attention from Adam Smith at the London Stadium, while Said Benrahma’s switch to a more central role could put him in the aggressive Jefferson Lerma’s path.
Match-Ups to watch
Adam Smith vs Gianluca Scamacca
Chris Mepham vs Jarrod Bowen
Jefferson Lerma vs Said Benrahma
