As the Premier League calendar progresses into late February 2026, Liverpool host West Ham United at Anfield in a fixture that underscores the contrasting ambitions of both sides. Liverpool, sitting in sixth place with 45 points from 27 games, are pushing for a European spot, while West Ham languish in 18th with 25 points, embroiled in a tense relegation battle. This match on February 28 offers Liverpool a chance to build momentum from their strong recent run, whereas West Ham desperately need points to climb out of the drop zone.
Liverpool have been in formidable form, securing victories in their last five outings: a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest, a 3-0 triumph against Brighton & Hove Albion, a 1-0 success versus Sunderland, a 2-1 defeat of Manchester City, and a 4-1 rout of Newcastle United. This streak highlights their defensive solidity and clinical finishing. In contrast, West Ham's recent performances have been inconsistent, with a 0-0 draw against AFC Bournemouth, a 1-1 stalemate with Manchester United, a 2-0 win over Burnley, and a 2-3 loss to Chelsea. Their inability to string together wins has left them vulnerable in the standings.
Key players could sway the outcome, with Liverpool relying on Hugo Ekitike, who leads their scoring charts with 10 goals and 2 assists. However, injuries pose challenges for Liverpool, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Stefan Bajcetic all sidelined. For West Ham, their top scorer has notched 8 goals and 3 assists, with Jarrod Bowen featuring prominently in their attacking efforts. Suspensions and injuries, including Freddie Potts out until March 14 and Pablo Felipe Pereira de Jesus returning on March 7, along with Lukasz Fabianski's ongoing back issue, could disrupt their lineup stability.
Tactically, both teams are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, suggesting a structured approach to the game. Liverpool's predicted XI includes Alisson in goal, with a defense led by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, while midfielders like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister will look to control proceedings. West Ham's setup features Aaron Wan-Bissaka at full-back and a midfield anchored by Tomas Soucek, but without specific head-to-head data from recent meetings, it's hard to predict direct tactical clashes beyond these setups.
Given the form disparity, Liverpool appear likely to hold the upper hand, but football's unpredictability means West Ham could mount a spirited challenge if they capitalize on counter-attacks. A narrow Liverpool victory seems a plausible outcome, leaning towards the home side due to their consistent results, though West Ham's fight for survival might keep the game close.
For those considering wagers, the analysis points to opportunities based on current trends. However, always remember that outcomes can vary.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @1.75 — Liverpool to win, given their five straight victories and strong defensive record compared to West Ham's struggles.
Bet 2 @2.10 — Over 2.5 goals, as Liverpool's recent games have frequently featured multiple scores, including 3-0 and 4-1 wins.
Bet 3 @3.50 — Hugo Ekitike to score anytime, based on his status as Liverpool's top scorer with 10 goals this season.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
