There's still a lot left to play for in the Premier League season, not the least of which is the last couple spots available for next year's Champions League.
West Ham has been that team floating under the radar all season long, and if they happen to beat Arsenal on Saturday, there's a real chance they'll crack the Top 4.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
West Ham +330
Arsenal -120
Draw +240
Over/Under 2.5 (over -130)
ODDS ANALYSIS
West Ham isn't getting a lot of respect here from the oddsmakers. The Hammers are only +330 at home in this match even though they're 7-6-2 at Boleyn Ground. Arsenal is the -120 favorite in a match it has to have if it wants to keep any chance whatsoever of getting back in the title race.
The total of 2.5 and -130 vig on the over is relatively high, but as we continue with the run in, the matches have more and more pressure to them and will probably feature more and more goals.
KEY INJURIES
This could be the match in which Jack Wilshere comes back. He's back in full training at this point, and he would provide a big time boost to this Arsenal squad. Tomas Rosicky is getting closer to a return as well, as is Aaron Ramsey. Santiago Cazorla won't likely be back until the end of April.
West Ham is going to hope to get James Collins back in the lineup in this match after he's missed the last month with a hamstring problem. The real issue though, is the three-match ban Cheikhou Kouyate has been handed. Kouyate picked up a red card after a silly and serious challenge against Crystal Palace. The Hammers are likely to appeal the decision, but we can't see him playing in this match.
RECENT FORM
West Ham has bigger concerns with the FA Cup replay against Manchester United coming next week. That said, the Hammers can't seem to get over the top of late. They've drawn three straight matches, the last of which was a disappointing 2-2 draw with Palace on Saturday.
Arsenal has been fantastic these last couple weeks in the Premier League. The team beat up Watford 4-0 on Saturday, and that came on the heels of a 2-0 victory at Everton. Now that all of the cup matches are out of the way, Arsene Wenger and his side can focus solely on the EPL and getting back in this title race.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Even if the Gunners do get some of their stars back, we think this is a really tough fixture. West Ham has only been beaten twice at home this year, and this isn't going to be the third time it happens as we see it.
We expect to see Mark Noble and Dimitri Payet anchoring this midfield, and that could open up some opportunities for Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia up front.
The Gunners might be getting some good contributions right now from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, but at the back, we still see some problems. Wilshere's return will help that out for sure, but Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker still aren't up to snuff as we see it. Petr Cech has been a little disappointing this year, and though he's still one of the elite goalies in the world, he's starting to falter just a bit.
If this match starts off relatively close, the Hammers could get some momentum going. We don't think they'll win this, but we do think they'll manage a point.
Barclays Premier League Odds: West Ham 1, Arsenal 1
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BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The fixture between West Ham and Arsenal will take place on Saturday, April 9, 2016, at 7:45 a.m. at Boleyn Ground. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
