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Tag: West Ham United

  • West Ham summer transfer window 2023 Ins and Outs

    West Ham summer transfer window 2023 Ins and Outs

    West Ham have had their most successful summer transfer window in history in the year 2023, as their transfer ins and outs have seen a big name, Declan Rice leave the club for a club record breaking selling fee for an English player. BestofBets takes a look at West Ham summer transfer business (including loans)!

    West Ham summer transfer window 2023 Ins and Outs

    Transfer In:

    Sean Moore – Cliftonville, undisclosed

     

    Transfer Out:

    Declan Rice – Arsenal, £105m

    Gianluca Scamacca – Atalanta, £27.5m

    Arthur Masuaku – Besiktas, undisclosed

    Manuel Lanzini – River Plate, free

    Armstrong Oko-Flex – Released

    Krisztian Hegyi – Stevenage, loan

    Nathan Trott – Vejle, loan

    Freddie Potts – Wycombe, loan

    Nikola Vlasic – Torino, undisclosed

     

    The Hammers started their window by selling arguably their biggest English star, Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal for a mammoth £105m fee, a club record fee. Their bid fell just short of what Chelsea paid for Enzo Fernandez, who still stands as the most expensive transfer made by an English club.
    They also let go of one of their star strikers Gianluca Scamacca, who joined Italian club Atalanta for £27.5m. However, they have to start bringing in replacements quickly if they are to survive what is going to be a very competitive 2023-24 Premier League season. If David Moyes stands any chance of steering West Ham to safety at the end of the 2023-24 season, the Hammers need to make at least four major signings, one in defence, two in midfield and a striker!
    As of August 9, West Ham have made just a single signing, that of Sean Moore from Cliftonville for an undisclosed fee. However, latest developments have seen them move close to signing Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
    They are also aiming to sign another Manchester United star Scott McTominay in the coming days.

    The above list will be continuously updated above as and when a new West Ham transfer incoming or outgoing occurs.

    For more such content, please visit our BestofBets Football section here.

  • UEFA Conference League final | Fiorentina vs West Ham | Preview, BestBets

    UEFA Conference League final | Fiorentina vs West Ham | Preview, BestBets

    After Sevilla secured their seventh UEFA Cup/Europa League last week, Wednesday night sees the Conference League take the spotlight.

    As the Fortuna Arena plays host, Fiorentina and West Ham United face-off.

    Having met just twice before in an Anglo-Italian League Cup Winners Cup tie in 1975, one side will make club history in Prague.

    However, will it be purple or claret celebrating Conference League glory?

     

    La Viola in tune

    For Fiorentina, a European title has evaded them for over 60 years.

    Winners of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961, La Viola were then beaten finalists by Atletico Madrid the season after.

    Not since 1990 have the Italian side been to a European final again.

    On that occasion, as Italia ’90 beckoned, an all Italian-affair saw Juventus win out in the two-leg final era.

    On Wednesday night, a drought of 22 years without silverware could come to an end.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Now revitalised under Vincenzo Italiano, this will be Fiorentina’s second major final of the season.

    Only a fortnight ago, the men from Florence fell to a 2-1 Coppa Italia final defeat to Champions League finalists Inter.

    Still unpredictable and with a scratchy defensive record, it is an in-form attacking line their major asset.

    Spearheaded by the ever-improving Nicolas Gonzalez, and Brazilian strike partner Arthur Cabral, the duo have scored six goals between them in the knockout stages.

    West Ham must be wary of the South American pairing.

     

    Can the Moyesiah deliver?

    West Ham, meanwhile, have not been in this position in Europe since 1999.

    Indeed, omitting the Intertoto Cup win of that year, The Irons have not won a major pot since the FA Cup in 1980.

    And it could be David Moyes to finally end that wait in perhaps his final game in charge.

    For all the Scot’s critics at the London Stadium, Moyes could become a club legend with victory.

    Embed from Getty Images

    At one time clinging to his job in east London, the former Manchester United and Everton boss has again managed to keep the fans on side.

    In terms of form, the Hammers have seen steady progression of late, holding title-chasing Arsenal to a 2-2 draw as a prominent turning point.

    Defensively, the Londoners are now tighter at the back in no small part to Nayef Aguerd, after coming through early injury since his move from Rennes.

    Can it be the Moroccan centre-back leading West Ham to Conference glory?

     

    Bet on Nico to net

    We already touched on the threat of Gonzalez, and the Fiorentina forward has four goals in his last five games.

    The slight plus for West Ham is that in those five appearances, Nico has found the net in every other game.

    Having grabbed a goal against Sassuolo on final day this past weekend, his short-term dry game is set for Wednesday night.

    Nevertheless, with his all-round menace and underrated aerial ability, the Argentine is an excellent 14/5 with William Hill to score anytime.

    Embed from Getty Images

    For La Viola to score in both halves meanwhile, a 7/2 shot with BoyleSports in on the table.

    In the case of West Ham, this is set to be Declan Rice‘s swansong in a West Ham shirt and we can a see big performance.

    At 19/2 to net in 90 mins with BetUK, not just the price, but the Rice could be right.

    As far as the outright markets go, the bookies see the trophy staying in Italy after AS Roma’s win last term.

    Favourites at 9/5 – again with BetUK – West Ham’s just shy of 2/1 value at 37/10 with the same bookmaker is also worth considering.

  • Greatest Premier League XI who never played in the Champions League

    Greatest Premier League XI who never played in the Champions League

    There have been some great legends of the beautiful game that have featured in the Premier League over the years and you won’t believe some of these greats never got to play in Europe’s top tier tournament. Today, BestofBets bring you the greatest Premier League XI who never played in the Champions League.

    Greatest Premier League XI who never played in the Champions League

    Goalkeeper – Neville Southall
    Everton shot-stopper Neville Southall was at his best during English clubs’ European ban post-Heysel stadium disaster in 1985.

    Right-back – Stephen Carr
    Stephen Carr spent most of his career at Tottenham Hotspur before moving to Newcastle United and was impressive throughout his career at the right-back position. Shame he couldn’t play in the Champions League in his career.

    Centre-back – Gareth Southgate
    England national team coach and former Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate did have European football experience in the UEFA Cup, but never stepped foot in the Champions League.

    Centre-back – Paul McGrath
    Premier League’s first PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1992/93, Paul McGrath could have achieved so much in his career if not for his injury issues. After almost joining Manchester United, he moved instead to Aston Villa, thus missing out his only chance at European football.

    Left-back – Leighton Baines
    One of the greatest left-backs in Premier League history, we can’t quite believe someone of the quality of Leighton Baines didn’t manage to get a taste of the Champions League. He could have made it there if he did not reject the chance to join Manchester United with David Moyes.

    Midfield – Matt Le Tissier
    The scorer of some of the greatest goals in Premier League history, it is almost a shock when you hear someone like Matt Le Tissier never playing in the Champions League. The Southampton legend sacrificed a lot for legendary status.

    Midfield – Darren Anderton
    After having an incredible career with Portsmouth and Tottenham, Darren Anderton rejected Sir Alex Ferguson’s offer to join Manchester United in 1995 and thus, let go of his only chance to play in the Champions League.

    Midfield – Clint Dempsey
    Featuring for Fulham and Tottenham, Clint Dempsey became a household name in English football during his stint at the two clubs. The extremely talented American did reach the Europa League final with Fulham, however, couldn’t play Champions League in his career.

    Striker – Paolo Di Canio
    Unbelievable really. One of the greatest strikers to grace European football, Paolo Di Canio played for clubs like West Ham, Lazio, Milan and Juventus in the 90s but never managed to play in the Champions League ever in his career as fate would have it. However, he did win the 1993 UEFA Cup and 1995 UEFA Super Cup,.

    Striker – Ian Wright
    Another name that is quite ridiculous to have missed out on Champions League football. Arsenal legend Ian Wright moved to West Ham the summer after winning the 1997/98 Premier League title, following which Arsenal got into the Champions League.

    Striker – Les Ferdinand
    Legendary striker Les Ferdinand has just one UEFA Cup campaign under his belt, during his time at Newcastle United. Among the top 15 goalscorers in Premier League history, it’s quite astonishing he never featured in the Champions League during Newcastle’s prime.

    You can check more of our content like this on BestofBets’ football section.

  • Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United – Player ratings as the Red Devils beat Hammers in the FA Cup

    Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United – Player ratings as the Red Devils beat Hammers in the FA Cup

    • West Ham scored the opening goal in the FA Cup last 16
    • Manchester United equalised through Aguerd
    • Garnacho and Fred added two more towards the end of the game.
    • Manchester United to face Fulham in the quarter-final

    Manchester United secured passage to the FA Cup quarter-final with a motivated 3-1 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford.

    The Red Devils found themselves a goal down courtesy of Said Benrahma’s incredible finish in the 54th minute.

    However, Erik Ten Hag’s side turned up the screws to score three times in the final 15 minutes of the game to ensure their qualification to the last 8.

    The Red Devils will now face Fulham in the quarter-final over the weekend of March 18 or 19.

    Meanwhile, Best of Bets takes a look at the player ratings from the Red Devils’ win against the Hammers (out of 10).

    Manchester United vs West Ham United – Player ratings

    Manchester United:

    David De Gea – 8

    Diogo Dalot – 6

    Harry Maguire – 6

    Victor Lindelof – 6

    Tyrell Malacia – 6

    Marcel Sabitzer – 8

    Scott McTominay – 5

    Antony – 6

    Bruno Fernandes – 6

    Alejandro Garnacho – 8.5

    Wout Weghorst – 8

    SUBS:
    Casemiro – 8

    Lisandro Martinez – 8

    Marcus Rashford – 6

    Fred – 7

    Raphael Varane – N/A – Subbed on too late

    West Ham United:

    Alphonse Areola – 7

    Ben Johnson – 6

    Nayef Aguerd – 4

    Angelo Ogbonna – 6

    Emerson – 6

    Tomas Soucek – 5

    Declan Rice – 8

    Lucas Paqueta – 6

    Said Benrahma – 8

    Michail Antonio – 6

    Pablo Fornals – 6

    SUBS:

    Jarrod Bowen – 5

    Gianluca Scamacca – N/A – Subbed on too late

  • Man Utd vs West Ham – FA Cup Fifth Round preview, team news, probable XI and prediction

    Man Utd vs West Ham – FA Cup Fifth Round preview, team news, probable XI and prediction

    Fresh from their EFL Cup glory over the weekend, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United will jump right into another cup competition as they host West Ham in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

    When and at what time will Manchester United vs West Ham kick off?

    Game: Manchester United vs West Ham

    Venue: Old Trafford

    Date: March 1, 2023

    Time: 19:45 UK

    Where to watch Manchester United vs West Ham in the FA Cup?

    The game will be shown live in the UK on ITV 1.

    The match can also be audio and video streamed on the ITVX app or website.

    Manchester United vs West Ham Team News

    There is no doubt Erik ten Hag will rotate his squad after a high octane EFL Cup final against Newcastle this past weekend.

    We could see Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrel Malacia in defence with Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay managing Manchester United‘s midfield. Garnacho, Sancho and Weghorst could get starts.

    Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial continue to be out injured.

    Meanwhile, West Ham welcomed Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet back into training. Gianluca Scamacca could be introduced into the West Ham attack as he marks his return from injury.

    Manchester United vs West Ham Probable XI

    Manchester United probable XI: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; McTominay, Sabitzer; Sancho, Fernandes, Garnacho; Weghorst

    West Ham probable XI: Areola; Johnson, Kehrer, Aguerd, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Paqueta; Benrahma, Bowen, Scamacca

    Manchester United vs West Ham Prediction

    Both teams will come into this game high on confidence after earning victories in their respective games over the weekend, however, Manchester United look in a completely different frame of mind and are operating at a pretty high level.

    Moreover, they won a trophy over the weekend and will be looking to continue their upward momentum, thus showing more urgency to get a result.

    We think Manchester United will win 3-1 at Old Trafford.