The Premier League is well and truly back and Saturday’s slate of games is headlined by our West Ham vs Aston Villa predictions.
The hosts have a new manager and several exciting new signings, while the visitors are looking to follow up on an incredible campaign last season.
With optimism in both camps, find out why we expect both teams to find the back of the net on August 17.
EPL predictions for West Ham vs Aston Villa
My best bet:
Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (-139 at Betano)
My analysis
It’s great to have the Premier League back and Saturday’s exciting slate of games culminates with West Ham vs Aston Villa, a game which often excites. The visitors come into this one on the heels of a great campaign that saw them finish fourth in the Premier League.
They’ve not had a huge amount of major incomings yet, with fullback Ian Maatsen coming from Chelsea, via Dortmund, and Amadou Onana replacing the outgoing Douglas Luiz in the heart of their midfield. Playing in the Champions League might cause them issues with squad depth later in the season but for now, they’ll be fresh.
West Ham look totally new here. They’ve got a new manager in Julen Lopetegui and a whole host of new signings. Early projections for their starting lineup feature six new players, with three, Jean-Clair Todino, Max Kilman, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka joining Emerson in the back four.
Five of the last six meetings between the teams have seen both teams scoring and three of those six have seen Over 2.5 goals. We’re expecting both teams to find the back of the net on Saturday in what looks like it should be a high-scoring game.
Aston Villa were dangerous in front of goal last year and their attack remains unchanged, at least in terms of the starting lineup. Ollie Watkins plays down the middle with Leon Bailey on the right, Morgan Rogers on the left, who has impressed in preseason, and John McGinn too. There are goals in that attack and given that this is a new-look West Ham defense there’s a high chance they find success.
The Hammers have recruited well in attack with former Dortmund man Niclas Fullkrug arriving to spearhead the attack, having impressed in cameos for Germany at Euro 2024, which saw him score twice despite not starting any of the host nation’s games. It’s the trio before Fullkrug that really stands out. Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen were electric last season, with Kudus notching eight goals and six assists, and Bowen with 16 goals and six assists. With Crysencio Summerville arriving from Leeds they now look incredibly dangerous. Summerville is quick, direct, and terrifying for defenders. He scored 20 times and set up nine more in the Championship last year and together with his new teammates they have real potential to tear teams apart.
West Ham vs Aston Villa same-game parlay (SGP)
Both teams to score — Yes
Over 2.5 goals
Ollie Watkins any time goal
In addition to our best bet for the game, we’re also going to back Ollie Watkins to score. The 28-year-old had a good summer for England, scoring a famous winner against the Netherlands at Euro 2024. Last season he started 37 of Villa’s 38 Premier League games, scoring 19 times and cementing himself as one of the league’s best English strikers. He’ll fancy his chances against a new-look West Ham defense that might not be totally familiar with each other yet..
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
West Ham vs Aston Villa odds
West Ham vs Aston Villa live odds
West Ham vs Aston Villa opening odds
- Moneyline: West Ham +150 | Aston Villa +170
- Draw: +240
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 (-175) | Under 2.5 (+142)
West Ham vs Aston Villa side and Over/Under analysis
- West Ham opened at +150 but has seen their odds shortened to +145.
- Aston Villa have seen their odds length to +182 and the draw has lengthened to +250.
- The total opened at 2.5 but has since moved to 3.5 with juice to the Under at -167.
West Ham vs Aston Villa game info
| Location: | London Stadium, London, England |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-17-2024 |
| Time: | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FUBO TV |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy but dry conditions |
 recent EPL form |
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 recent EPL form |
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West Ham vs Aston Villa key injuries
West Ham: Wan-Bissaka (Questionable), Alvarez (Out).
Aston Villa: Olsen (Questionable), Kamara (Out), Mings (Out)
Not intended for use in MA.
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