Premier League team news and prediction: West Ham vs Arsenal
West Ham will be looking to head into the international break level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea as they welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium this afternoon. The Hammers have been in good form on home turf of late and will seek to make it six wins from seven in east London at the Gunners' expense.
Ahead of this London Derby, we provide all the key pre-match information, including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs
When is kick off?
Sunday 21st March, 15:00 GMT
Where is the match?
London Stadium, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
Form Guide
West Ham have been exceptional this season, particularly as many expected the Hammers to be relegated. Two defeats in three, both in Manchester, have seen them fall three points off fourth-placed Chelsea, but victory today will see them maximise their game in hand over the Blues. Their sole defeat in their last eight at the London Stadium came at the hands of defending champions Liverpool, with five wins from their last six on home turf to their name.
Arsenal saw their unbeaten run come to an end at the hands of Olympiacos on Thursday night, though they still progressed to the next round of the Europa League 3-2 on aggregate. The Gunners have failed to win three of their last four away league matches coming into today's London Derby, however three goals in the space of 10 second half minutes saw them secure a 3-1 win in this game last season.
Team News
Jesse Lingard is available for West Ham boss David Moyes after he missed the 1-0 loss to Manchester United due to stipulations in his loan deal. Moyes is also hoping to recover Ryan Fredericks, Darren Randolph and Pablo Fornals, though only the latter would likely have started if fit. Arthur Masuaku, Andriy Yarmolenko and Angelo Ogbonna are all sidelined.
Willian and Bukayo Saka missed the 1-0 loss to Olympiacos on Thursday and the pair are touch and go to be fit for the trip across the capital. The latter has made Gareth Southgate's England squad, which suggests he has recovered in time to make the squad at the London Stadium. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang started last weekend's 2-1 win over Tottenham on the bench for disciplinary reasons and having started in midweek, may miss out on a starting spot to Alexandre Lacazette once again.
Probable XIs
West Ham (4231) - Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Lingard; Antonio
Arsenal (4231) - Leno; Soares, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Pepe, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Lacazette
Key Battle: Jesse Lingard vs Martin Odegaard
Jesse Lingard has been a revelation following his loan arrival from Manchester United in January. Only three West Ham players have scored more league goals than the midfielder (4) in 2020/21, whose good form in east London has seen him rewarded with a return to the England squad for this month's international break.
Martin Odegaard hasn't had quite the same impact as his opposite number Lingard, but recently scored his first Premier League and Europa League goals of his Arsenal career in respective wins over Tottenham and Olympiacos. The Norwegian started the midweek Europa League clash from the bench, which suggests he'll be ready and raring to go this afternoon.
Score Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
