West Ham Vs Aston Villa Prediction: Three Picks From The Panel At London Stadium
The 2024/25 Premier League season is upon us and the first Saturday of the new campaign will conclude with West Ham taking on Aston Villa.
The Villans exceeded expectations last season, finishing fourth to qualify for Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 1982/83.
Villa fans cannot wait until that competition begins next month, but Unai Emery will be fully focused on domestic matters for now as Villa aim to cement their position among the country’s top clubs.
Change is in the air at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui chosen as David Moyes’ replacement after the Scot said goodbye in May. The Spaniard has a revamped squad at his disposal as West Ham seek to get themselves back into continental competition.
The Panel have examined the best betting sites for the game at the London Stadium and picked out their three best bets.
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West Ham Vs Aston Villa Predictions:
- Draw - 11/4 With William Hill
- West Ham To Score First - 10/11 With Ladbrokes
- Niclas Fullkrug To Score Any Time - 2/1 With BoyleSports
West Ham Vs Aston Villa Betting Tips: Close Encounter Expected
Despite Aston Villa’s achievements last season, betting apps make West Ham slight favourites for Saturday’s showdown in the capital.
Home advantage no doubt plays a large part in that, but West Ham have not lost this fixture since 2011 when they were still at Upton Park.
Many Hammers fans grew frustrated with Moyes towards the end of his tenure, but everyone in the home sections will be fully behind the team this weekend.
Even if West Ham were to fall behind, there would be no audible signs of dissent from the terraces.
There is plenty of excitement in the air with some of the signings the club has made.
The new arrivals include centre-back duo Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug and Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who was one of Leeds' standout performers in the Championship last term.
Villa have also been busy this summer, but their starting XI for this game will probably be more familiar than West Ham’s.
Emery’s side showed last season that they are not easy to beat, including on their travels - only the top three had better away records than Villa in 2023/24. Football betting sites have this game priced at 11/4 for draw and The Panel believe those odds look worth taking.
The Panel's West Ham Vs Aston Villa Prediction 1: Draw - 11/4 With William Hill
West Ham Vs Aston Villa Odds: Hammers To Strike First
Despite Moyes’ reputation as a pragmatist, West Ham were defensively suspect last season, with only the relegated trio conceding more goals.
At the same time, Moyes was unable to get the best out of the attacking riches at his disposal. Lopetegui should make West Ham more effective in that regard, even though his teams have historically not always played free-flowing football.
There is plenty for West Ham fans to be excited about, though, and in front of their own fans on Saturday the home team will look to make a fast start.
Even last season, which was seen as a disappointment by many despite a respectable ninth-place finish, West Ham got out of the blocks quickly at the London Stadium, scoring first in 11 matches - a record bettered by only six sides.
Incidentally, Aston Villa conceded the opening goal in 11 away games last season, so the hosts can draw first blood at 10/11 with betting sites as they look to get the Lopetegui era up and running with a win.
The Panel's West Ham Vs Aston Villa Prediction 2: West Ham To Score First - 10/11 With Ladbrokes
West Ham Vs Aston Villa Prediction: Fullkrug Favoured
The aforementioned Fullkrug is an exciting addition to the West Ham squad.
The east Londoners have been trying to find a suitable alternative to Michail Antonio for some time, with Sebastien Haller and Gianluca Scamacca among those who did not last long at West Ham despite their accomplishments elsewhere.
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Fullkrug could be a good fit.
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He will have no problem whatsoever dealing with the physicality of English football, while his ability to play as a focal point inside the penalty area makes him a good fit for a team blessed with an abundance of creativity provided by the likes of Mo Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Fullkrug reached the Champions League final with Dortmund last season, scoring 15 goals in all competitions, and he had a one-in-two goal record in the league with Werder Bremen before that.
The 31-year-old striker will score goals for West Ham this season and we like his chances of opening his account for the club against Aston Villa.
The Panel's West Ham Vs Aston Villa Prediction 3: Niclas Fullkrug To Score Any Time - 2/1 With BoyleSports
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