West Ham vs Fulham: Aiming for a Turnaround in the London Derby

West Ham has hit rock bottom. They are on a 6-game winless streak. Only 1 goal scored and 12 goals conceded. The numbers alone are serious. Can the derby against Fulham at the London Stadium on December 27th be a stepping stone for a turnaround?

West Ham

• ●Last 6 games: 0 wins 3 draws 3 losses (Winless!)
• ●Average goals scored: 0.17 goals / Average goals conceded: 2 goals
• ●Shots on target: 2.67 (Terrible)
• ●Last 3 home games: 1 win 0 draws 2 losses
• ●Home possession: 42.67%

To be honest, it's the worst. They have only scored 1 goal in 6 games. With 2.67 shots on target per game, the attack is simply not working. Even at home, they are losing possession with 42% possession. There's a reason why they are 18th in the league.

Fulham

• ●Last 6 games: 3 wins 0 draws 3 losses
• ●Average goals scored: 2 goals / Average goals conceded: Information not available
• ●Shots on target: 3 or more
• ●Last 15 away games: 2 wins (Weak away form)
• ●Last 10 away games: 8 games winless

Fulham is a team with two sides. They have picked up 3 wins in their last 6 games and are scoring 2 goals per game. Their attacking power is definitely alive. The problem is away games. Only 2 wins in the last 15 games, and 8 games winless in the last 10 games. Their away phobia is serious.

West Ham's Desperate Home Strategy

What does West Ham need now? Confidence. And the only way to gain that confidence is through goals. Paquetá and Bowen need to create something in the front.

The problem is that they haven't been shooting much lately. You can't win with 2.67 shots on target per game. They have to rely on Summerville's breakthrough ability, but it's difficult for him to perform at his best while carrying the defensive burden.

Still, there is hope in their home record against Fulham. They have won 4 of their last 5 games. They have been particularly good against Fulham at the London Stadium. The key is whether this jinx will work this time.

Fulham's Away Challenge

Manager Marco Silva will also have many concerns. Why can't they win away from home? They are a team that does well at home.

With Jiménez and Traoré playing in the front, their attacking power itself is decent. Smith Rowe and Wilson are spreading creative passes in the midfield. The fact that they have more than 3 shots on target per game is thanks to this combination.

In this game, Fulham should pay attention to West Ham's defensive instability. They are conceding 2.33 goals per game at home. They can exploit the gaps with set-pieces or fast wing attacks. In particular, Traoré's breakthrough could be a key point.

1. West Ham's First Goal Time

It's a psychological game. If West Ham scores first, the game changes completely. They haven't had a proper taste of a goal in 6 games. Conversely, if Fulham scores the first goal? West Ham's mentality is likely to collapse. The first 15 minutes are important.

2. Traoré vs Walker-Peters

Fulham's attack starts with Traoré's breakthrough. He is a player with monstrous physicality and speed. The key is how well Walker-Peters can hold up in 1v1 situations. If Traoré breaks through, crosses will come in, and Jiménez will finish the pattern.

3. Set-Piece Utilization

West Ham's defense is unstable. They have often shown a lack of concentration in corner kick and free kick situations. Fulham's Andersen is a threatening player in aerial balls, and Wilson's kicking accuracy is also decent. West Ham could be in danger if they don't reduce fouls.

There's interesting data here.

Last 5 games at London Stadium

• ●West Ham: 4 wins 0 draws 1 loss

Last 4 games overall head-to-head

• ●West Ham: 1 win 1 draw 2 losses
• ●Experience of losing by 2 or more goals

West Ham is overwhelming at home. They have 4 wins out of 5 games. But Fulham is ahead in the recent overall head-to-head record. They have reversed it with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Whether to trust the power of the home or the recent trend. It's not easy to judge.

West Ham (18th)

• ●17 games: 3 wins 4 draws 10 losses
• ●Goals scored: Information not available / Goals conceded: 35 goals (More than 2 goals per game)
• ●Goal difference: Serious negative

Fulham (13th)

• ●17 games: 7 wins 2 draws 8 losses
• ●Goal difference: -2
• ●Last 14 games: 7 wins (League only)

There is a 5-place difference in the standings. Fulham is having a much better season. West Ham is in the relegation zone, and Fulham is fighting comfortably in the mid-table. Fulham is also mentally advantageous.

Both teams have restrictions on player management due to injuries and national team call-ups. Squad depth is a variable that can determine the game.

West Ham Expected Lineup

• ●GK: Areola
• ●DF: Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Todibo, Kilman
• ●MF: Matheus Fernandes, Guido Rodriguez, Potts, Paquetá
• ●FW: Bowen, Summerville

Fulham Expected Lineup

• ●GK: Leno
• ●DF: Tete, Andersen, Castagne, Robinson
• ●MF: Berge, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Cairney
• ●FW: Jiménez, Traoré

Expected Score: West Ham 1-2 Fulham

It was a difficult pick, but I'm betting on Fulham to win. The probability is about 41%.

West Ham's form is too bad. They are winless in 6 games and their scoring power is completely dead. They have a good past record of catching Fulham at home, but it seems difficult to reproduce that record with the current team condition.

Fulham is also a team that struggles away from home. So, rather than a big win like 3-0, there is a high possibility of a close game. I expect Jiménez to score one goal, and an additional goal from a set-piece. West Ham will also be able to save face with one goal in front of their home fans.

There is also a possibility of Over 2.5 goals. Both teams' defenses are unstable. It looks like it will be a fun game with goals. However, the result may be bleak for West Ham fans.