Prediction and odds for the game: West Ham (10/11) v Bournemouth (14/5)
We are backing the draw
When: 1st January 2020, kick-off 5:30 PM
Where: The London Stadium
West Ham host Bournemouth on New Year’s Day at the London Stadium, in David Moyes’s first game of the Scot’s second spell as Hammers boss.
West Ham
The Hammers head into this clash on the back of four defeats in their last five Premier League games. A 2-1 home defeat against Leicester last time out spelt the end for veteran Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini and the return of Moyes to the London club. The Chilean left the east London club just one point above the relegation zone.
The Hammers have been highly vulnerable in defence of late in the Premier League, conceding at least twice in nine of their last 12 league outings.
A poor recent home record in the Premier League of late has led to their perilous position in the table, as the Hammers have failed to win in six matches on home soil. The Leicester defeat was the Irons fourth straight home league loss, with West Ham conceding two goals in each straight defeat.
The recent history of this fixture is against West Ham, as the Hammers have failed to beat Bournemouth in the last six meetings between the two teams.
Bournemouth
Similarly, to the home side, the visitors have struggled for results of late in the Premier League. The Cherries have won just once in their last nine top-flight games, having lost seven of their last nine league outings. Their poor recent run of form has the visitors slip to just two points above the relegation zone.
Last time out in the English top-flight, Bournemouth suffered a 2-0 defeat at Brighton. It was their fourth straight league game that had produced under 2.5 goals.
The fact that only Crystal Palace and Watford have scored fewer goals this season in the Premier League has not helped the Cherries chances of avoiding being dragged into a relegation zone.
Bournemouth have been slightly travel sick of late in the top-flight, as they have won just once in their previous seven away games in the Premier League. Just as generally in the top-flight, the Cherries have struggled for goals on their travels of late, scoring just four times in their last seven matches on the road. Their lack of firepower has contributed to five of their last seven games producing under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Both teams head into this game in poor form. However, West Ham will be hoping for a new manager bounce in this clash. The Hammers are poor on home soil, while the Cherries are poor on the road. With this in mind, we are backing the draw.
The pair have struggled for goals, but have poor defences. We are favouring the under 2.5 goals for our other bet.
Verdict: Back the draw at odds of 14/5 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 11/10.
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