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Liverpool can move to 45 points as the English Premier League sees its final games of 2024 played on Sunday. Arne Slot’s Reds still have a game in hand but can end the year with just one defeat to their name from what will be 18 games. Both teams won on Boxing Day, with Liverpool beating Leicester City and Julen Lopetegui’s Irons condemning Ivan Juric’s Southampton to defeat. The Hammers are without a loss in four EPL matches as 2024 ends on a positive note for the Londoners, but this weekend’s visitors have won six of their last seven meetings, including a 5-1 EFL Cup exit. Arsenal and Chelsea have struggled to make the most of Liverpool’s rare points drops so far this season, while the Reds themselves rarely miss. Slot’s men took advantage a few days ago at the expense of the Blues. Mohamed Salah continued his excellent form by scoring alongside Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, with the Egyptian becoming the eighth man to score 100 home goals in the Premier League as they eliminated the Foxes.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday December 29 | Time: 12:15 PM ET
- Location: London Stadium – London, England
- Watch: US network | Current: Fubo (try for free)
- Chances: Westham +550; Sign +400; Liverpool-250
Season so far
West Ham have eight points from the last twelve available to move above embattled Manchester United in thirteenth place and are now closer to Europe than the relegation zone. Lopetegui seems safe – for now – and has scored in each of their last seven EPL matches. Liverpool’s provisional lead is a healthy six points over Arsenal, with a chance to reach that nine in 2025 with a game in hand. Slot has yet to taste defeat away from home, and they have scored in each of those games. However, four consecutive away games with at least two goals is something the Hammers should aim for.
Team news
Westham: Lukasz Fabianski, Max Kilman and Carlos Soler are injured, while Guido Rodriguez and Tomas Soucek are suspended. Lucas Paqueta is back from suspension and Edson Alvarez could be recalled, but Michail Antonio continues to recover from his car accident injuries.
Possible West Ham XI: areola; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Todibo, Emerson; Alvarez; Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus, Summerville; Fullback.
Liverpool: Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley are unavailable but hope to be back in early 2025, while Dominik Szoboszlai is now suspended for this. Curtis Jones will likely start again, while Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz will hope to beat Darwin Nunez.
Possible Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Jota.
Prediction
This could be tight if both sides score, but expect Liverpool to ultimately come out on top with a one or two goal margin of victory. Choose: Westham 1, Liverpool 2.