Preview & Prediction: Everton vs. West Ham United

Everton host West Ham United at Goodison Park on September 29, 2025, in a Premier League Matchweek 6 clash that brings together two sides desperate to build momentum in the 2025–26 season. Under Sean Dyche, Everton secured a gritty mid-table finish in 2024–25, relying on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal-scoring prowess and James Tarkowski’s defensive solidity to grind out results. Goodison Park, in its final season before Everton’s move to a new stadium, remains a fortress, with its passionate atmosphere unsettling opponents. West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui, matched Everton’s mid-table standing last season, with Jarrod Bowen’s flair and Mohammed Kudus’ dynamism driving their attack. The Hammers, however, struggled for consistency on the road, making this trip a stern test. This matchup pits Everton’s physical 4-4-2, which thrives on set pieces and counterattacks, against West Ham’s fluid 4-2-3-1, designed for quick transitions and wing play. The 39,000-capacity Goodison Park will be electric, with the Gwladys Street End creating a wall of noise. Both teams, aiming for a top-half finish, will see this as a chance to gain an edge in a competitive mid-table race, with tactical discipline and key individual battles likely to decide the outcome in this hard-fought encounter.

Insights:

• Everton posted a 9–5–5 home record in 2024–25, averaging 1.5 goals per game at Goodison Park, where the Gwladys Street End’s atmosphere often forces errors.
• West Ham secured 5 away wins in 2024–25, conceding 1.6 goals per game on the road, with losses in four of six matches against physical sides like Everton.
• Everton’s 4-4-2 under Dyche emphasizes aerial dominance and counterattacking, while West Ham’s 4-2-3-1 focuses on quick wing play and midfield creativity.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin (10 goals in 2024–25) versus West Ham’s Kurt Zouma (2.3 tackles per game) will be crucial, with Calvert-Lewin’s aerial threat testing Zouma’s positioning.
• West Ham lead the series 20–10–8 since 1993, but Everton’s 2–0 home win in 2024–25, with Calvert-Lewin scoring, gives them confidence.
• Everton aim for a top-10 finish to mark their final Goodison season, while West Ham target European qualification, making points vital.
• Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré is fit after a minor injury, but West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá is questionable with a calf strain, potentially impacting their midfield.
• Goodison’s raucous crowd, led by the Gwladys Street End, contrasts with West Ham’s vocal East London supporters, creating a charged atmosphere.
• Dyche’s focus on set-piece routines could exploit West Ham’s inconsistent defending, while Lopetegui’s use of inverted wingers aims to stretch Everton’s narrow setup.
• Historical clashes at Goodison average 2.4 goals per game, often decided by set pieces or late defensive lapses.

Match Forecasts:

• Dominic Calvert-Lewin is likely to score, using his 2024–25 form (10 goals) to exploit West Ham’s backline with aerial challenges and runs behind Zouma.
• Jarrod Bowen (16 goals in 2024–25) could trouble Everton’s defense on the counter, targeting Jarrad Branthwaite’s positioning with his pace and finishing.
• Everton’s James Garner (86% passing accuracy) will battle West Ham’s Edson Álvarez and Tomáš Souček, who averaged 2.2 tackles per game, with midfield physicality key.
• Everton converted 15% of corners into shots in 2024–25, with Tarkowski a aerial threat; West Ham’s Zouma is equally strong defending set pieces.
• Everton’s Beto could provide a late spark off the bench, while West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville offers flair to shift momentum in the final 20 minutes.
• West Ham’s backline allowed 1.4 goals per away game in 2024–25, vulnerable to Everton’s direct play, which averaged 1.6 long balls per game.
• The game may see a physical first half, with 60% of Everton-West Ham clashes featuring goals after the 70th minute, suggesting late drama.
• Tactical battle hinges on Everton’s aerial dominance (55% aerial duels won) versus West Ham’s quick transitions (1.7 counters per game).

Everton 1–1 West Ham United This match is poised for a hard-fought draw, with Everton’s physicality and Goodison’s atmosphere balancing West Ham’s attacking flair. Calvert-Lewin’s aerial threat could lead to an early goal from a set piece, but Bowen’s pace on the break should see West Ham respond. Both teams’ defensive resilience and late substitute impacts will likely cancel each other out, splitting the points in a tense, physical encounter.

Match Facts:

• West Ham lead the series 20–10–8 since 1993, with 68 goals scored in those matches (1.8 goals per game average), often featuring tight battles.
• Goodison Park, with a 39,000 capacity, is expected to sell out, with the Gwladys Street End creating a hostile atmosphere reaching 107 decibels.
• The referee is TBD, but 2025–26’s semi-automated offside technology will reduce decision times by approximately 30 seconds.
• Broadcast on Sky Sports (UK) and Peacock (US) with English and Spanish commentary; local radio includes BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio London.
• Liverpool on September 29, 2025, forecasts 61°F with a 25% chance of light rain, potentially aiding direct play on a slick pitch.
• An Everton win would mark their 100th Premier League home victory since 2000, a milestone in their final Goodison season.
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin is two goals shy of 50 Premier League goals for Everton; Jarrod Bowen could reach 50 career goals with a strike.
• Everton have won 65% of home games against West Ham since 2015, often capitalizing on set pieces to secure narrow victories.