We provide analysis and best bets as David Moyes' returns to Goodison Park to take on one of his former players.
It was David Unsworth who scored the first goal of David Moyes’ 11-year reign as Everton manager just one minute into a home game against Fulham in March 2002, with Duncan Ferguson going on to net the winner in a 2-1 victory.
So it is ironic that the Scotsman should find himself opposite the same two players in the dugout as he targets a maiden win as West Ham boss against his former club on Wednesday night.
Unsworth made more than 200 appearances for Moyes in an Everton team that was founded on defensive solidity and resilience.
But he has been unable to foster those same qualities among the current crop of players, who have now conceded at least two goals in their last nine matches in all competitions, and 12 in their last three at Goodison Park.
The Toffees now have the worst defensive record in the Premier League, having failed to keep a clean sheet since the opening day of the season.
So the Hammers, who have scored in six of their last eight league games, should be confident of building on a promising point against Leicester last time out by bagging at least a couple of goals.
And another positive result is certainly achievable, considering that their leaky hosts have won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions.
Even that victory had an element of good fortune, after Watford contrived to throw away a two-goal lead before missing a stoppage-time penalty to share the points.
Picking a West Ham scorer has proved tricky of late, with their last nine goals shared among seven different players.
But the best value might just lie with Cheikou Kouyate.
The Hammers’ recent switch to four at the back has allowed the rangy midfielder more freedom to roam forward and support a lone striker in the same way that Marouane Fellaini mastered for Moyes’ previous clubs.
And, having found himself on the end of a couple of excellent chances away to Watford before equalising against Leicester at the London Stadium on Friday night, the Senegalese could well hold the key in kick-starting his new manager’s tenure against the club where he made his name.
Recommended bets
West Ham double chance and both teams to score – {ODDS:212688999:13/8}
West Ham to score over 1.5 goals – {ODDS:212689042:17/10}
Cheikou Kouyate to score at any time – {ODDS:215071394:5/1}
