West Ham United host Everton on Saturday in a Premier League encounter where relegation fears meet European ambitions, with David Moyes returning to face his former club.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side demonstrated defensive resilience in Monday’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace, extending their unbeaten home run to five matches. The Hammers sit 17th, just two points above Tottenham Hotspur, and desperately need victories with Spurs travelling to Wolves this weekend.
Everton arrive smarting from Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute winner in last Sunday’s Merseyside derby. Moyes’ side remain in the European hunt, sitting 10th and three points behind sixth place with five games remaining.
West Ham’s Survival Battle
The hosts have found momentum at a crucial juncture. Following their commanding 4-0 victory over Wolves, the Palace stalemate delivered back-to-back clean sheets for the first time in over a year. They last kept three consecutive Premier League shutouts in January 2024 (a run of four).
West Ham are unbeaten in their last five home league fixtures (W2 D3). They last enjoyed a better sequence at the London Stadium between November and February 2023-24 – under current Everton boss Moyes.
The hosts have kept two clean sheets in their last three home games – as many as in their previous 41 at the London Stadium combined, highlighting their defensive transformation under pressure.
However, their record against Everton makes difficult reading. West Ham have won just three of their last 17 Premier League home games against the Toffees (D5 L9), though two victories have come in the last four meetings at this venue (D1 L1). Each of the last three encounters has ended level, as many draws as in the previous 24 meetings.
With only Everton and Arsenal remaining as home fixtures before a potential final-day showdown with Leeds United, Saturday represents perhaps their best realistic chance for three points. Leeds’ recent escape from the drop zone offers relief, but West Ham are determined to avoid Matchweek 38 drama.
Everton’s Away Strength
Moyes has transformed Everton into formidable travellers. The Toffees have collected 25 away points this season (W7 D4 L5), their best tally since 2020-21 (37). This represents remarkable progress given their home struggles.
Everton have won more Premier League games against West Ham both overall (29) and away from home (13) than against any other opponent. This historical dominance provides confidence, though recent London form has been inconsistent – just three wins in their last 15 games in the capital (D5 L7).
Moyes will take charge of his 750th top-flight English match and could make managerial history. Having already won at former club Manchester United in November, victory at West Ham would see him join an exclusive group: only Harry Redknapp (2009-10), Roy Hodgson (2011-12 and 2020-21), and Nuno Espírito Santo (2024-25) have won away at two former clubs in a single season.
The derby defeat was painful but shouldn’t obscure Everton’s strong recent form. They have won three of their last four Premier League matches and remain firmly in the European conversation despite sitting 10th.
Team News
West Ham
Nuno confirmed a fully-fit squad for Saturday’s crucial encounter. “All the squad is good and available. All the players are very important and all the squad is available, so having all the options to try and help us is very important.”
The Portuguese has named unchanged teams for the last two matches, maintaining defensive solidity that yielded consecutive clean sheets. Continuity could again be his approach, with Callum Wilson leading the attack. The striker has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Everton.
Everton
Everton’s biggest concern is Beto’s absence. The in-form striker, who scored four times in his last three Premier League appearances, will miss out after suffering concussion in the derby.
In 2026, Beto has scored seven goals from just 19 shots (37% conversion rate), averaging a goal every 81 minutes. Before 2026, he had scored 12 goals from 111 attempts (11%), averaging a goal every 271 minutes – highlighting his remarkable recent transformation.
“Beto has concussion and will miss this week’s game,” Moyes confirmed Friday. Thierno Barry looks likely to deputize, though Iliman Ndiaye or Tyrique George could offer makeshift options.
Jarrad Branthwaite is ruled out for the season with hamstring trouble. “Jarrad will be out for the season, then we’ve got quite a long close-season, so there should be plenty of time to get himself fit and ready to start next season,” Moyes explained. Jack Grealish (foot) also remains unavailable.
Beyond Beto, Branthwaite and Grealish, Moyes has selection flexibility. Michael Keane recently signed a new one-year contract. “The biggest thing is he deserves it,” Moyes said. Contract situations for Idrissa Gana Gueye and Seamus Coleman remain unresolved, with updates promised “in the weeks to come.”
Moyes ruled out 18-year-old Braiden Graham, despite the youngster’s 12 Premier League 2 goals. “He has a little bit to go before reaching the first team.”
Predicted Lineups
West Ham: Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf; Bowen, Soucek, Fernandes, Summerville; Pablo; Castellanos
Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Barry
Head-to-Head
The reverse fixture in September ended 1-1, with Jarrod Bowen cancelling out Michael Keane’s opener at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Form Guide
West Ham (D-W-L-D-W)
Unbeaten in five home fixtures with back-to-back clean sheets demonstrating defensive resolve. Survival remains precarious but momentum is building.
Everton (L-W-W-W-L)
Three wins in four before the derby defeat showcased quality. Excellent away record (25 points) suggests they can compete anywhere despite London struggles.
Prediction
West Ham’s home form and desperation for points clash with Everton’s superior quality and excellent away record. Beto’s absence weakens the visitors’ attacking threat, while the Hammers’ recent defensive solidity suggests another tight contest. Both sides need points but may cancel each other out.
We say: West Ham 1-1 Everton
- Kick-off: Saturday, 3:00 PM BST
- Venue: London Stadium
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
- Last Meeting: Everton 1-1 West Ham, September 29, 2025, Premier League
- How to watch: Not televised in UK (3pm blackout)
Read more – Premier League Relegation Battle 2026: Who Goes Down?
Also see – Medicine, Football, and Democracy: The Sócrates Legacy
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