Premier League: When East Meets West Expect Fireworks!

West Ham United vs Brentford

It’s an all London derby, but Premier League: West Ham vs Brentford brings together two teams from opposite sides of the capital city

David Moyes’s West Ham are the East End darlings and will be roared on by 60,000 passionate fans, despite a poor run of form. Thomas Frank ‘s Brentford are from the West End of the Capital City, not as swanky as the Kings Road kings of Chelsea or the Cottagers of Fulham, but they are Westenders all the same.

And when they enter the Iron’s den, the Bees can expect a hostile reception, both on and off the pitch, as their hosts have plenty of anger to take out on someone. The Hammers come into the game on the back of a disappointing loss away to Nottingham Forest while Brentford put up a good fight against Manchester City, but just fell short.

The West Ham vs Brentford betting odds tell us we’re in for a tight game, which could go either way, but the London Stadium will not be a happy place unless the Hammers can come up with a long-awaited victory.

Talking Points

The heat is on steely Moyes  

Without a win in eight games West Ham are enduring their most difficult run of the campaign; but the Europe League Champions are still up in ninth, five places and 11 points ahead of the Bees. So it seems a little odd that some West Ham fans are calling for a change at the helm. Moyes is a fine manager and the club’s owners appreciate his qualities, offering the wily Scot a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season. Moyes hasn’t decided whether he should extend his stay in the East End and he is fully focussed on getting things right on the pitch.

The West Ham boss hasn’t had the best luck with injuries and loan signing Kalvin Phillips was red carded against Nottingham Forest last week. Midfield general Tomas Soucek was on the bench against Forest so I expect him to step back in. There may some good news for Moyes as winger Lucas Paqueta is nearing a return and that would give the Hammers a welcome boost. With serious quality up front, including top scorer Jarrod Bowen and dead ball specialist James Ward Prowse, we expect the Hammers to dominate the West Ham vs Brentford highlights; though centre back Nayef Aguerd will see plenty of action too, following the comeback of Brentford’s lethal weapon.

Toney’s goals can save the Bees  

Never has the return of a player been so widely anticipated as Ivan Toney’s re-appearance for Brentford after an eight month betting ban. He scored 20 league goals last season before his world was turned upside down and he won a reputation for being one of the world’s best penalty takers in the modern game. There was always going to be a question around how he would perform on his return, but Toney answered in the best way, scoring in Brentford’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in January.

Goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and Liverpool have taken Toney to four in six games and his better than one-in-two ratio looks as solid as ever. Frank should steer the Bees to safety particularly if Toney stays fit, though Brentford have stayed clear of the drop zone so far. In Toney’s absence, Bryan Mbeumo has been in superb form but he has been sidelined with an ankle problem and is touch and go for Monday’s date at the London Stadium.

Brentford fought hard at home  to Manchester City recently and went ahead through a Neal Maupay goal before Phil Foden took the game away from the Bees. Maupay could be in line to start again with Mbeumo on the bench. Meanwhile, in defence the return of Ben Mee has toughened up the back four, though Aaron Hickey has suffered a hamstring injury and is doubtful.    

History

Brentford have won five of the head-heads to West Ham’s three victories since Frank guided them to the top flight and the Bees won the return match 3-2, coming from behind with a Nathan Collins winner after Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen had put the Hammers in charge. Brentford were riding high in ninth place at that time but they have slid down the table since.

But the visitors are still in slightly better shape in terms of recent form, winning two and losing four from the last six, while West Ham have two draws and four defeats 

Betting Tip

West Ham are at SBOTOP odds of 2.34 to win this London derby while the Bees are at 2.54 and the draw is priced at 3.21. After they were slapped 0-6 by Arsenal on their last home appearance the Hammers owe their supporters a performance and a result, and I expect Moyes’ boys to turn the tide on Monday night. 

 

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