Premier League: These Two Share Genuine Similarities

West Ham United vs Everton

Two Premier League clubs with real pedigree meet in the east end of London on Sunday; two clubs with similarities on and off the park.

For a start, both West Ham United and Everton have enjoyed days in the upper echelons of English football’s pyramid alongside sporadic cup success. Meanwhile, both have also experienced periods in the lower reaches when they have been no stranger to the ‘r’ word.

2023 has also been a year where they have both lost key figures in their fabric.

In early January, the Hammers said farewell to David Gold – the co-chairman who invested in his beloved club.

And only this week, Everton are mourning a figure whose association ran so deep you almost expected blue blood to appear from his veins.

As Andy Hunter so eloquently wrote in the Guardian this week, the Everton chairman and theatre impresario, who has died aged 78, represented a link to his city that cannot be replicated.

Against that backdrop, we await to see what Premier League highlights two clubs with striking similarities can deliver this weekend.

Talking Points

Despite recent anger over the way club is run by a number of figures (West Ham have been in that position too), Kenwright represented the values of his beloved club magnificently.

So it is somewhat fittingly that this contest marks a reunion with David Moyes who, under Kenwright’s stewardship, provided such stability over the blue half of Merseyside for more than a decade. 

Everton will be without Ashley Young, suspended for two yellow cards in last weekend’s Merseyside derby defeat. Despite that result, the Toffees have shown a marked improvement in recent weeks and, if they can keep striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit, there should be a bit more daylight from the bottom three than the relegation flirtation they experienced last term.

Although there have been brief glimpses of being able to live with their more established peers, results against the top sides have not improved for West Ham this term and they again failed to convince at Villa Park last weekend.

Indeed, they appeared reluctant to come out and play until they went 2-0 down and eventually were well beaten 4-1.

In the transfer market Moyes fought to bring James Ward-Prowse in from Southampton in the summer, reasoning that his clever passing and set-piece prowess would improve his side, and he can take immense satisfaction from how West Ham have recovered from selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105 million.

Whether they can improve on last season domestically, though, remains to be seen and, being in action in the Europa League in midweek (although they rested some key figures), may mean Everton are slightly fresher.

History

Historically, Everton have held the upper hand in this fixture with 74 victories compared to 44 West Ham successes and 31 draws.

There was one win apiece last term.

A Neal Maupay goal settled the contest in the favour of Everton in September.

The return match also went the way of the hosts with a first half double from Jarrod Bowen winning the day, a result which ultimately cost Frank Lampard his job.

Everton last won on the Hammers’ turf in May 2021 when Calvert-Lewin netted the only goal of the game.

Possibly their most famous meeting in the modern era came in the 1980 FA Cup semi-finals when Frank Lampard senior and Alan Devonshire scored in a replay at Elland Road to settle the tie with Bob Latchford on target for the Toffees.

West Ham would go onto win the FA Cup. It remains the last time a side from outside the top flight has lifted the famous trophy.

Their very first meeting was also in the FA Cup in 1907 when John Sharp and Jimmy Settle netted in a 2-1 Everton win at Upton Park.

Harry Stapley found the net for the home team.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Premier League betting odds give West Ham the edge as you would expect. They are priced First Half 1X2 @ 2.52, 1X2 @ 2.11, First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.13 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.38.

Everton are on offer a little further adrift, including First Half 1X2 @ 3.85, 1X2 @ 3.05, First Half Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.42 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.07.

There’s only been one goalless draw between the sides in the past 20 years and I am not going to predict one now but, if you are, how about Correct Score 0-0 @ 9.00 or total goal 0-1 @ 3.20?

Other options are Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.90, 4-6 @ 3.70 and over 2.75 @ 2.25.

A re-run of the corresponding fixture last season will pay out @ 10.00 with Correct Score 2-0.

I think Everton have a point to prove, feeling they had a raw deal with one or two decisions in last weekend’s Merseyside derby and that, combined with a midweek without a game, means they can come back north with something.

 

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