As Everton make one final trip to Upton Park, we take a look at West Ham’s key player, key results this season, a weakness and a strength.
Key player: Dimitri Payet
West Ham were able to beat Everton to a deal for Dimitri Payet and the attacking midfielder has looked like an absolute bargain.
Payet has been in sensational form for the Hammers, grabbing the headlines on numerous occasions.
Operating as West Ham’s main creative outlet, Payet has been able to contribute to 45 attacking chances with 41 key passes and a further four assists.
Payet has the tendency to drift towards the middle of the pitch, usually coming from the left hand side, meaning Seamus Coleman will have to be watchful of where Payet is planning to run, while not drifting from his own position, allowing Aaron Cresswell space to operate and play a ball into the box.
Payet is also the Hammers' top goalscorer with five goals, all coming around the 18 yard box, something Everton will have to be wary of whenever Payet is leading a West Ham attack.
Historically the Toffees' have struggled with players who can strike the ball from anywhere around the 18 yard box and will be hoping they can keep Payet quiet and he doesn’t add to his already impressive tally of assists and goals.
Key results: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City
West Ham have been able to shock a number of bigger teams, away from home and recently beat Chelsea at Upton Park.
They haven’t been lucky results, the Hammers have worked hard and beaten these teams well, especially away from home where they have soaked up pressure and then broken out on the counter attack.
Slaven Billić has instilled a confidence in his team that they can beat anyone with hard work and determination.
They attacked the champions, Chelsea at Upton Park and played Liverpool off the pitch at Anfield.
West Ham have not given up in games like they have in previous years and getting three points from them will be no easy feat for any team.
Weakness: Inability to stay consistent
However, West Ham’s results have been up and down, they’ve beaten the bigger teams but have been unable to beat the so-called lesser teams.
They’ve suffered losses to Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Watford. West Ham have lost three of these four away from homes, with only the 4-3 loss to Bournemouth being at home.
The Irons have European ambitions and the key to achieving that is beating the teams around you and snatching a result off the bigger teams. West Ham need to find a way to achieve both.
Their performances against Chelsea and Liverpool have been completely different to those against Crystal Palace and Watford. West Ham have lacked the energy and pressing in these games that have secured the bigger results this season.
Upton Park still remains a formidable place to go and play but when they’re not playing a top side, West Ham can be beaten through high pressure and a pacy, counter attacking style of play.
Strength: Goal scoring ability
Last week, West Ham’s 2-0 loss was the first time this season they have failed to score.
The Hammers sit sixth in the Premier League with a goal difference of plus seven. They have scored 22 goals and conceded 15. The ability to continue scoring keeps them in games longer than other teams.
They can score from anywhere. Dimitri Payet can pop up around the 18 yard box, Manuel Lanzini can go on a mazy run and score and then Cheikhou Kouyaté can pop up with a header.
Everton will have to be wary of the Irons goalscoring threat from anywhere on the pitch.
It will take a top effort from them to secure one final win at Upton Park before West Ham make the move to the Olympic Stadium.