West Ham's hopes of finishing in the Top 4 may nearly be faded from view but they can throw a wrench in Arsenal's push for a Champions League place next season on Sunday, as the two clubs clash at the London Stadium.
Arsenal enter the weekend in that coveted fourth spot in the table, two points up on Spurs, while West Ham have drifted to seventh, eight points back of the Gunners. How will this battle in London play out?
Read on for our free Premier League picks and predictions for West Ham vs. Arsenal, with kickoff set for May 1.
West Ham vs Arsenal match odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare EPL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
West Ham vs Arsenal betting tips
Predictions made on 4/30/2022 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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West Ham vs Arsenal game info
• Location: London Stadium, London, England
• Date: Sunday, May 1, 2022
• Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
• TV: USA Network, DAZN
West Ham vs Arsenal betting preview
Weather
An overcast afternoon in London is forecast for Sunday but only a 5% chance of rain. Temperatures at kickoff are expected to be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Injuries
West Ham: Craig Dawson CB (Out), Issa Diop CB (Out), Angelo Ogbonna CB (Out).
Arsenal: Bukayo Saka AM (Questionable), Kieran Tierney LB (Out), Thomas Partey CM (Out).
West Ham vs Arsenal predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Side analysis
Both West Ham and Arsenal have been a bit inconsistent lately, with both having lost three times in their previous five games. For Arsenal, this comes as injuries strike at every level of the pitch and their lack of a clinical striker is more apparent than ever. For West Ham, the grueling Europa League schedule, and the quick turnaround from Thursday in Europe to the weekend domestically, is taking its toll.
This should be a great Premier League game but one that favors Arsenal.
Prior to a recent three-match losing skid, in which Arsenal were unlucky to lose the latter two, they had not only established themselves as the favorite to finish fourth but were reeling in Chelsea. That's because, in the 13 matches between Dec. 11 and the loss to Crystal Palace on Apr. 4, they took 31 of a possible 39 points and only dropped points in losses to City and Liverpool, and a 0-0 draw with Burnley.
Injuries and the glaring hole at striker aside, Arsenal have established themselves as a Top 4-worthy team and a difficult out regardless of the opponent. This was highlighted on the other side of their three losses in a row, as they beat Chelsea (4-2) and Manchester United (3-1) in the space of four days, winning the expected goals battle in both.
While Arsenal have strengthened as the season's progressed, West Ham have suffered as fixtures stacked up between an FA Cup run that reached the fifth round and the knockout stages of the Europa League. They've taken just 15 of a possible 39 points in their past 13 games, with the 1.15 points per game return a far cry from the 1.76 average they began the season with.
West Ham have done brilliantly to make it this far in Europe and will have exceeded expectations regardless of how the season ends but they're fading quickly as the season nears an end.
Arsenal are the better team, in better form, and will be fresh having played last Saturday. West Ham, meanwhile, have to play this fixture between legs of their Europa League semifinal against Eintracht Frankfurt. With both squad rotation and a trip to Germany on Thursday factoring in for West Ham, take Arsenal to win.
Prediction: Arsenal moneyline (-134 at bet365)
Over/Under analysis
For various reasons, some of which will be touched on below, Arsenal's recent games have seen plenty of goals. In April alone, their five Premier League games averaged 3.4 total goals (up from their season average of 2.78), with a 1-0 loss to Southampton the lone game with fewer than three scored.
That has been a theme of Arsenal's season, as early defensive woes were replaced by a thriving attack and now, a combination of the two as injuries have struck their backline while their attack operates without a great option at striker.
West Ham, similarly, have leaked goals at various points this season due to seemingly constant injuries to their center-backs — with three of four first-choice CBs out against Arsenal. However, between a collection of talented attackers helped by Jarrod Bowen's recent return from injury and consistently threatening set pieces, they've been a solid team going forward all season.
With both teams consistent in attack and dealing with injuries to key defenders, we're going Over the 2.5 total.
Prediction: Over 2.5 (-125 at bet365)
Best bet
Both of these teams have been hit hard by injuries to their respective backlines, and it has had a considerable impact on both.
Arsenal had both of their starting fullbacks, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, go down with serious injuries earlier this season. The pair are two of Arsenal's best and most important players regardless of position but the loss of both fullbacks devastated the backline's balance. While Tomiyasu may return for Sunday, the chances of him starting don't sound encouraging and Tierney will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
The Gunners have kept just two clean sheets in the past 11 matches, allowing multiple goals in five of nine games they've conceded in over that stretch. With Bowen back and in good form for West Ham, they're likely to concede again.
Just as Arsenal's balance was ruined by injuries, so too was West Ham's. Their injuries started early, losing ever-present Angelo Ogbonna to a serious knee injury in the fall, and it has continued since. Three of four first-choice center-backs are out tomorrow while the fourth, Kurt Zouma, has recently dealt with injury problems of his own.
Like Arsenal, West Ham have kept only two clean sheets in the last 11 matches and have conceded multiple goals in three during that stretch.
Backing both teams to score at the London Stadium should be a safe bet on Sunday.
Pick: Both teams to score (-134 at bet365)
