West Ham United vs Aston Villa Prediction and Betting Tips | August 17th 2024

West Ham United will entertain Aston Villa at the London Stadium in their Premier League campaign opener on Saturday. The hosts finished ninth in the league standings last season while the visitors qualified for the UEFA Champions League after securing a fourth-place finish.

The hosts had a decent run in the pre-season, winning two of their five games. They met Celta Vigo in the Betway Cup, a pre-season friendly competition, last week and won it 6-5 on penalties after the score ended 2-2 in regulation time. Jarrod Bowen scored in the first half and Lucas Paquetá scored in his first friendly appearance of the season.

The visitors had a busy pre-season, playing seven friendlies and recording three wins. They concluded their preparations for the new season with a 2-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

West Ham United vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

The two teams have a long-standing rivalry and have met 120 times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with the hosts having a narrow 45-39 lead in wins and 36 games ending in draws.
The hosts are winless in their last three meetings against the visitors, with two games ending in draws.
West Ham had concluded their 2023-24 campaign on a poor note, with just one win in their last six games. Villa, meanwhile, were winless in their last four games.
West Ham United are unbeaten in their last nine home meetings against the visitors, with five games ending in draws.
Aston Villa had suffered defeats in their last three away games in the 2023-24 season while also failing to score in these matches.
The hosts have scored one goal apiece in their last four meetings against the visitors.
The hosts have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League meetings against the visitors.

West Ham United vs Aston Villa Prediction

The Hammers concluded their pre-season with a win last week and will look to build on that form. They have just one win in their last six home games in the Premier League, with four games ending in draws.

Julen Lopetegui takes charge of the club in his first official match and is likely to field a strong starting XI as only Edson Alvarez is sidelined with an injury from the current squad.

The Villans went unbeaten in their two meetings against West Ham last season, scoring five goals while conceding twice. Interestingly, they have scored one goal each in their last five away meetings against the hosts. Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are confirmed absentees for Unai Emery and Robin Olsen is a doubt.

Considering their recent history and form in the pre-season, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.

Prediction: West Ham United 1-1 Aston Villa

West Ham United vs Aston Villa Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Draw

Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals

Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes

Tip 4: Jarrod Bowen to score or assist any time - Yes