West Ham v Norwich City: Haller's 'Ammers to continue upward curve

Kevin Hatchard
30 August 2019

Sebastien Haller scored twice against Watford

Join

Twitter

Facebook

View the Betslip

West Ham picked up their first league win of the season last weekend, and Kevin Hatchard believes they can repeat the trick against Norwich City...

"West Ham looked very lively in attack at Watford, and against a Norwich side that plays open and attacking football, the Hammers should get plenty of chances to score."

Back West Ham to win at 1.9520/21

West Ham v Norwich City
Saturday 31 August, 15:00

Hammers starting to gain momentum

Starting the Premier League season against the champions Manchester City was never likely to be a pleasant experience, and West Ham's 5-0 shredding at the hands of Pep Guardiola's side made for grim viewing for those in claret and blue. However, since then the Hammers have drawn 1-1 at Brighton, and won 3-1 at Watford. The Infogol stats show that West Ham had an xG (Expected Goals) figure of 3.9 at Vicarage Road, which shows they produced a sparkling attacking display.

Summer signing Sebastien Haller opened his Premier League account with a beautifully taken brace, and anyone who watched the French striker's games in the Bundesliga will have been unsurprised by his acrobatic second, or indeed the bizarre contortion he produced in the first half to produce an unlikely effort on target. Haller hit the target with three of his four shots on goal. He's West Ham's record signing, but I believe that in the fullness of time his acquisition will prove to have been a true bargain.

Michail Antonio made an impact as a substitute at Watford, but he is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Chicharito is back after a knee injury. Key players like Haller, Declan Rice and Felipe Anderson are all likely to return to the starting eleven after they were on the bench for the midweek League Cup win at Newport, although Anderson did come on as an early sub for Antonio.

Norwich won't abandon Farke's formula

Daniel Farke is a genial character and an engaging speaker, but beyond the smiles and the soft voice there is an iron resolve. Farke had to fight hard to win over many of the Norwich City faithful, and now that he has lifted the Canaries into the Premier League, he won't compromise on the principles that got the club this far. Norwich have leaked seven goals in their first three league games and have already lost twice, but no-one at Carrow Road seems concerned.

There is a trust in a style that delivered 93 goals on the way to securing the Championship title, there is faith in a back four that regularly features players who are 21 or younger, and the decision to retain Teemu Pukki as the star striker is already reaping rewards. I was one of the sceptics who doubted the Finn could translate his incredible goalscoring form from the Championship to the Premier League, but he has already rattled in five goals in three games.

Farke changed his entire team for the 1-0 defeat at Crawley in the League Cup, but despite trying to protect players, he has lost an experienced campaigner for a long period of time. Defender Timm Klose has suffered suspected knee ligament damage, and could be out for the next few months.

Hammers worthy favourites

West Ham produced a fine display at Watford, and they are trading at 1.9520/21 to make it three straight victories in league and cup. Stretching back into last season, the Hammers have won four of their last seven Premier League home games, and last term they won two of their three home matches against newly-promoted clubs.

Norwich weren't as poor at Liverpool on opening night as their 4-1 defeat suggests, but they have given away some really bad goals already in this campaign, and against the likes of Haller, Anderson and Manuel Lanzini, that inexperienced defence may struggle to cope.

I'd suggest either backing West Ham outright for the win at 1.9520/21, or using the Sportsbook's Same Game Multi option to make a West Ham/Over 2.5 Goals double at 2.4529/20.

Over 2.5 Goals is just 1.548/15 on its own, with Both Teams To Score a similarly skinny 1.511/2.

Haller to strike again

Sebastien Haller gave notice of his quality at Vicarage Road, and I think he'll get chances to score here against a Norwich team that takes risks and makes defensive mistakes.

I'll back Haller to score at 5/4 on the Sportsbook, while the in-form Pukki is priced at 11/8.