Premier League leaders Liverpool head to West Ham hoping to extend their lead atop the table.
WATCH — West Ham v Liverpool
Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui has overseen a mini revival at West Ham in recent weeks as they’re four games unbeaten and have picked up eight points in that stretch to put themselves within touching distance of European contention. Still, they struggled in their narrow 1-0 win at Southampton on Boxing Day and continue to give up a huge number of chances each game to opponents. West Ham fans still aren’t overly impressed with Lopetegui but he’s bought himself some more time.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool brushed aside Leicester City on Boxing Day as they won 3-1 after going behind in the first half at Anfield. Mohamed Salah continues to score and look in the form of his career, while the likes of Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz are also in fine form. Right now this is Liverpool’s title to lose and going into this matchweek they have a six point lead atop the table and have a game in-hand.
How to watch West Ham vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:15pm ET Sunday (December 29)
Venue: London Stadium — London
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
West Ham team news, focus
Alphonse Areola is set to start in goal with Lukasz Fabianski suffering a head injury against Southampton. Soler and Kilman also came off injured in that Boxing Day win, while midfielders Rodriguez and Soucek are both suspended. Expect Mexico star Edson Alvarez to start in midfield, while the likes of Todibo, Cresswell and Summerville could also start as West Ham may move to a back three to try and be more defensively solid.
OUT: Michail Antonio (DETAILS), Tomas Soucek (suspension), Guido Rodriguez (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Max Kilman (shoulder), Carlos Soler (knee), Lukasz Fabianski (head - MORE)
Liverpool team news, focus
The duo of Konate and Bradley remain out but are close to a return. It will be intriguing to see if Trent Alexander-Arnold starts after reports about him telling Liverpool he wants to move to Real Madrid ahead of his contract expiring in the summer. If he doesn’t, Quansah could come in at center back with Gomez slotting over to right back. Up top there will be some rotation and the likes of Diaz and Jota could start. There is a lovely balance about this Liverpool side right now and Slot has been getting his rotation spot on to keep as many players as fresh as possible.
OUT: Ibrahima Konate (knee), Conor Bradley (hamstring), Dominik Szoboszlai (suspension)
West Ham vs Liverpool prediction
This will be a pretty routine away win. There’s no way Liverpool won’t punish West Ham’s shaky defensive unit. West Ham 1-3 Liverpool.
