Everton Match Preview

West Ham United’s inconsistency has been reversed in recent weeks in that they have not taken a point away from home since drawing at Brentford on September 28. However, they have won both of their games in Stratford after that date. Having lost heavily at Nottingham Forest last weekend, they are really in need of three points as Everton arrive in East London on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers made the worst possible start to November, having lost 3-0 to the Tricky Trees at The City Ground so they will be looking to get back on track going into the final international break of 2024.

Sean Dyche’s side are in the middle of back-to-back away games and they will certainly want to make up for their 1-0 defeat at newly promoted Southampton. However, they might find it hard to do so meaning both sides will be determined to bounce back here.

Everton won the corresponding fixture last season but Julen Lopetegui won’t want to see that outcome repeated and hopes that his side can build on home wins against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, as well as Manchester United.

This would have been the last game of a three-match suspension for Mohammed Kudus but he will unfortunately have to sit out for a further two games after being charged by the Football Association Independent Panel for his violent conduct against Tottenham Hotspur on October 19.

Edson Álvarez is also suspended after being sent-off for two bookable offences before half-time against Nuno Espírito Santo’s men.

On the plus side for the Hammers’ Head-Coach however, Tomáš Souček may return to the starting line-up after being out with a virus.

Michail Antonio will hope to regain his place after being benched against his former club last weekend. Crysencio Summerville is in contention for a second consecutive start, despite being taken off during the break a week ago.

It remains to be seen whether Alphonse Areola has recovered from the knock that kept him out of the matchday squad that travelled to Nottingham.

Lopetegui stated in his pre-match news conference ahead of this game on Thursday that Niclas Füllkrug will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Saturday’s match is a 3pm kick-off and the referee is Stuart Attwell.