Game Overview

League-leader Liverpool (13-3-1, 42 points) travels to London Stadium to take on West Ham United (6-5-7, 23 points) on December 29, 2024. Liverpool enters as a -1.5 favorite and aims to extend their lead atop the table. 

Betting Odds

With Liverpool’s offensive firepower and West Ham’s defensive struggles, covering the -1.5 spread is well within reach for the Reds.

Team Analysis

Liverpool

The Reds are in superb form, winning four of their last five games across all competitions. Forward Mohamed Salah leads the EPL in scoring with 16 goals and 12 assists, making him a dual-threat offensive powerhouse. Liverpool’s attack has been relentless, averaging 2.35 goals per game while maintaining a stout defense that has conceded only 17 goals this season.

In addition to Salah, contributions from Luis Díaz (7 goals) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (4 assists) solidify Liverpool’s balanced approach. Manager Jürgen Klopp’s squad excels at exploiting defensive vulnerabilities, which spells trouble for West Ham’s inconsistent backline.

West Ham United

West Ham has been inconsistent this season, sitting mid-table at 6-5-7. The Hammers rely heavily on Jarrod Bowen (5 goals, 4 assists) to generate offense. However, their defense has been a liability, conceding 30 goals in 18 matches, the third-worst in the Premier League.

While recent results include a win over bottom-dweller Southampton and two draws, West Ham’s inability to shut down elite attacks has been exposed repeatedly. Against a high-octane Liverpool side, their defensive frailties could lead to another lopsided result.

Recent Performance

Liverpool

• 12/26/24: Defeated Leicester City 3-1
• 12/22/24: Defeated Tottenham Hotspur 6-3
• 12/18/24: Defeated Southampton 2-1
• 12/14/24: Drew with Fulham 2-2
• 12/10/24: Defeated Girona 1-0 (UEFA Champions League)

West Ham United

• 12/26/24: Defeated Southampton 1-0
• 12/21/24: Drew with Brighton 1-1
• 12/16/24: Drew with Bournemouth 1-1
• 12/9/24: Defeated Wolves 2-1
• 12/3/24: Lost to Leicester City 3-1

Head-to-Head Matchup

Recent meetings heavily favor Liverpool, who have won four of the last five matchups, including a dominant 5-1 victory in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. West Ham’s only bright spot was a 2-2 league draw last April, but Liverpool’s attacking depth has consistently overwhelmed the Hammers.

Betting Trends

• Liverpool is 11-6 ATS in Premier League matches this season.
• Five of Liverpool’s last six matches have gone over 3.5 goals.
• West Ham is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home matches against teams in the top six.
• Four of the last five head-to-head meetings have had at least four goals.
• West Ham has conceded at least two goals in their last four matches against Liverpool.

Prediction