The Championship returns to the London Stadium on Friday night as West Ham United host Wrexham, with both sides arriving in excellent form.
West Ham have won three straight Championship matches, the latest a dramatic 3-2 victory at Bolton Wanderers in which captain Jarrod Bowen scored twice, including a late winner. That result took Nuno Espirito Santo's side to 11 points from six games and second in the table, behind only West Brom.
Wrexham arrive with confidence of their own, unbeaten in three league matches and having conceded just once in that run, taking seven points from games against Millwall, Swansea City and Burnley. Friday's meeting is the first league encounter between the two clubs since 1981, and it kicks off at 8pm at the London Stadium.
Who is the Betting Favourite in West Ham v Wrexham?
Latest odds suggest West Ham are the clear favourites heading into this one, priced up at around 4/6 in the match-winner market. The draw is available at around 13/5, while Wrexham can be backed at around 4/1 despite their own unbeaten run.
Based on current market odds, West Ham's implied win probability sits at roughly 60%, with the draw around 21% and a Wrexham win priced at around 20%.
West Ham v Wrexham Best Bet
Best Bet: Jarrod Bowen - Anytime Goalscorer
Stake: 1pt
Odds: 6/4 (Skybet)
Bowen arrives at this fixture in the form of his life, having scored twice in West Ham's win at Bolton to take his tally to five goals in his last five games, including three goals in as many Championship matches. As captain and the focal point of West Ham's attack, he remains the club's most consistent source of goal threat regardless of the level they're playing at.
His recent shot volume is just as encouraging, with Bowen hitting this line in each of his last three matches. His last five games have produced shots on target totals of 2, 2, 2, 1 and 2, showing a remarkably consistent ability to test the goalkeeper.
Wrexham's defensive record has been solid across their unbeaten run, but they haven't faced an attacking talent of Bowen's calibre in that spell, and a home fixture against a side still adjusting to Championship life should give him every chance to continue his outstanding start to the season.
West Ham v Wrexham Bet Builder Tip
Our Bet Builder Tip for West Ham vs Wrexham includes the following legs:
- Yes - Both Teams To Score
- Jarrod Bowen Over 1.5 - Shots On Target
- Jacques Ekomie Over 1.5 - Tackles
- Lewis O'Brien Over 1.5 - Fouls
Best odds of 9/1 at bet365 while publishing.
Yes - Both Teams To Score
Both teams to score has landed in five of West Ham's last six matches, a strong recent trend for a side whose attacking output has been matched by defensive vulnerability at times this season. With Wrexham having shown they can find the net against Championship opposition and West Ham rarely keeping things tight at the other end, this looks a sensible starting point for the builder.
Jarrod Bowen - Over 1.5 Shots On Target
Bowen has hit this line in each of his last three matches, and his volume has been consistent throughout, with his last five games producing shots on target totals of 2, 2, 2, 1 and 2. As West Ham's primary attacking outlet and penalty-box threat, he's rarely short of a sight of goal, and a home fixture against a side still finding its feet at this level should keep that record intact.
Jacques Ekomie - Over 1.5 Tackles
Ekomie's tackle numbers across his recent matches read 2, 2, 4 and 1, showing he's been heavily involved defensively since arriving at Wrexham over the summer. With West Ham likely to dominate large spells of possession at the London Stadium, Ekomie should be kept busy defensively throughout, giving him every chance to clear this line again.
Lewis O'Brien - Over 1.5 Fouls
O'Brien's foul counts have been solid throughout the season, and his away numbers are particularly encouraging, with his last 10 away matches producing totals of 5, 1, 3, 2, 0, 0, 3, 2, 0 and 2. He's averaging 1.78 fouls committed per 90 across his last 10 matches, and his role as a combative central midfielder means he's regularly the one left to make a tactical foul when Wrexham are under pressure. Given the amount of ball West Ham are likely to have on home soil, O'Brien's willingness to put a foot in makes this an appealing addition to the builder.
West Ham v Wrexham Team News and Predicted Lineups
West Ham welcome Wrexham to the London Stadium on Friday night, with the Hammers looking to make it four Championship wins in a row after scoring 10 goals across their last three league games.
West Ham Team News
West Ham could be without Tomas Soucek, while Edson Alvarez and Soungoutou Magassa remain doubts. Taty Castellanos is also unavailable.
Jarrod Bowen is expected to start after scoring three goals in his last six matches, including a brace against Derby.
West Ham Predicted XI: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Orford, Engels, Solomon; Kanté; Piroe
Wrexham Team News
Wrexham have several injury concerns, with Sebastian Revan ruled out and Max Cleworth a doubt. Jack Sheaf, George Thomason, Cacace and Broadhead are also among those unavailable.
Phil Parkinson is expected to stick with a three-man defence, with Wrexham looking to frustrate West Ham and hit on the counter.
Wrexham Predicted XI: Pattersson; Zyner, Hyam, O'Connor; Kaboré, Windass, Evans, Ekomié; O'Brien, Windass; Palmer
West Ham v Wrexham Match Prediction
West Ham's home form and Bowen's scoring streak make them deserving favourites, but Wrexham's recent defensive record suggests this won't be one-way traffic. Expect goals at both ends, with the hosts' superior firepower proving the difference.
Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Wrexham
West Ham v Wrexham Player Prop Bet
Best Bet: Konstantinos Mavropanos - Over 0.5 Player Shots On Target
Stake: 1pt
Best odds: 19/10 (William Hill)
Mavropanos was on target in West Ham's win over Bolton, continuing a habit of getting forward for set pieces and adding a goal threat from centre-back that few defenders at this level can match. More importantly, this is not simply a bet based on one recent performance, with Mavropanos having landed over 0.5 shots on target in each of his last three matches, while also scoring twice across that run.
His recent shooting numbers show that he is becoming increasingly willing to get involved in attacking situations, with his shots across his last 13 games reading 2, 3, 4, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1, 2, 2. While the overall sample is naturally more modest for a centre-back, the recent trend is exactly what we want to see, with Mavropanos producing at least one shot on target in three consecutive games and finding the net twice during that spell.
The matchup also offers encouragement, particularly when it comes to West Ham's potential set-piece volume. Wrexham have conceded an average of 5.20 corners per game across their last 10 matches, while their last five away games have seen them concede 5, 1, 9, 7 and 5 corners. That includes three occasions where they allowed at least five corners and two matches where opponents won seven or more.
For a centre-back like Mavropanos, that is an important part of the equation. More corners and dead-ball situations mean more opportunities to get into the box, attack deliveries and ultimately register an attempt on goal. His recent three-game run suggests he is already finding ways to get shots on target, and the potential for West Ham to generate another healthy set-piece count makes the 19/10 price particularly appealing.
