Everton vs West Ham analysis: Five key battles and score prediction

Newly-crowned Premier League Manager of the Month David Moyes comes face-to-face with the club he left in the summer as his Everton side takes on Graham Potter’s West Ham.

Both sides are looking to create further ground between themselves and the bottom three.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jon Shea gives his five key battles and score prediction.

Beto vs Max Kilman

Beto has been key for David Moyes, showing his ability in front of goal since the Scotsman’s appointment.

However, in his last two matches, he has had chances to carry on his form, but has instead shown some profligacy in front of goal.

Having said that, he continues to pose a threat for defenders and will be a difficult opponent for West Ham this weekend.

Everton will need him to return to form if they are going to get a positive result this weekend.

It has been a difficult first season for Max Kilman at West Ham United, bought by former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, only for the Spaniard to lose his job and now under Graham Potter, he doesn’t quite seem up to speed as of yet.

He showed great potential at Wolves, and Potter could potentially get more out of him next season.

However, it has been an unsettling season for the 27-year-old, who is yet to show his best at the London Stadium.

James Tarkowski vs Jarrod Bowen

Brought to West Ham by Everton manager David Moyes, Jarrod Bowen continues to be a revelation for the Hammers.

He is West Ham’s top goal scorer with seven league goals.

The forward will certainly want more at this stage, but the team has struggled for form all season.

Bowen proves to be a threat to defences with his finishing and intricacy.

He has scored in huge matches recently - notably, the winner against Arsenal in West Ham’s last away match.

The Englishman continues to be recognised by his country as Thomas Tuchel includes the forward in his first England squad as manager.

James Tarkowski has been a mainstay since he joined Everton and has proven to be a brilliant free signing in 2023.

He will want to get back to earning clean sheets for Everton as they have not had a shutout since the 4-0 win over Leicester in early February.

They do not concede many, but clean sheets are a defender’s main goal, and Tarkowski will be hoping to get their 10th clean sheet in the league.

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Idrissa Gana Gueye vs Tomas Soucek

At age 35, Idrissa Gueye continues to cover ground like no one else in Everton’s team.

The Senegalese international has made 106 successful tackles - 13 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

He is so vital to Everton’s midfield, breaking up play and restarting many of Everton’s attacks.

Gueye is playing for a new contract as his current deal runs out in the summer. In this form, Everton fans will be hoping that he gets his reward - and continues his fine form this weekend.

Tomas Soucek will be rueing the huge chance he missed against Newcastle on Monday Night.

The Czech player will want to make amends at a stadium where he has scored the winner - on two occasions. More recently, last season under Moyes.

Soucek is always an awkward player to play against. Even though he lacks the pace, his size and late runs into the box make him a difficult man to contain - particularly when the ball is in the air.

Despite playing in a deep position, Soucek has managed six goals in the league this season - proving a threat in and around the box.

Jack Harrison vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Jack Harrison got a much-needed goal in Everton’s last outing against Wolves on Saturday.

It was the Englishman’s first goal in over a year, and relief was written on his face when the ball hit the back of the net.

Moyes has encouraged the winger to contribute more to Everton’s attack, along with Jesper Lindstrom.

And maybe that goal against Wolves will be the incentive for Harrison to kickstart his season in the absence of Illiman Ndiaye.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not a right-back many wingers want to be up against. Defensively, you will rarely see a better fullback in the Premier League.

The Englishman has started every match for West Ham this season since joining from Manchester United in the summer.

He is a key part of West Ham’s defence and has made himself a mainstay in the team.

You rarely see Wan-Bissaka get turned inside out, and it is some task for Harrison to get any joy out of the fullback this weekend.

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David Moyes vs Graham Potter

Moyes’ reunion with West Ham this weekend will be special, as he gets to see the team he managed from 2020 up until last summer.

He endured so much success, particularly with the Europa Conference League win in 2023.

In fact, in this fixture last season, it was Moyes’s West Ham who put on a late show to score two in stoppage time to beat Everton 3-1.

Since returning to Everton, there has been an unbelievable lift in the club, and being unbeaten in their last eight games helps that, of course.

Moyes has been awarded the latest Manager of the Month award for February, a feat only Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have achieved more than him.

Moyes will want to continue the fine form and get back to winning ways after three straight draws.

Potter has had an indifferent start as West Ham manager as he looks to change the style of football, but he has had some joy.

Particularly in the Hammers' last away outing, where they beat Arsenal 1-0. However, with that comes the lack of joy in the main, having lost five of his nine games in charge.

Apart from the Arsenal victory, West Ham have only picked up three points away from home since Potter was appointed.

They had chances against Newcastle in midweek and could have nicked a point, and Potter will want to make amends this weekend and get West Ham fans believing in his style.

Score prediction

It is a match that is likely to lack goals, given the two teams’ goalscoring records this season, but I believe Everton will nick it at Goodison and continue their unbeaten run.

Everton 2-0 West Ham

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