West Ham odds to finish in 2024/25 Premier League top six: Predicted finish, signings, best players & full squad

West Ham United get a new era underway in the 2024/25 Premier League with Julen Lopetegui at the helm.

The Spaniard has replaced David Moyes as Hammers manager and fans will be hoping they can once again challenge for European football. Just a few years ago, a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League secured West Ham a spot in the Europa Conference League, which they won. That earned them their place in the Europa League last season with a run to the quarter-finals.

In fact, 2024/25 will be the first season in four that the Hammers haven’t been in European football, also reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League in 2021/22. They’ll have a fight on their hands, but West Ham have been given a 20% chance of a top-six finish per implied probability.

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Latest West Ham odds to finish in the 2024/25 Premier League top six

West Ham are favoured to finish in the top half of the Premier League table, with a 52.6% chance of securing that based on implied probability. But a top six finish is a bit tougher, with just a 20% chance. If you want to back West Ham to qualify for the Champions League through a top-four finish, that’s a 5.9% chance.

West Ham’s summer transfer window business so far

West Ham have only made six signings so far, with the acquisitions of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Niclas Füllkrug and Crysencio Summerville seen as statement signings. Said Benrahma, Ben Johnson, Flynn Downes and Thilo Kehrer are among those to leave the London Stadium.

Who are West Ham’s most important players?

West Ham’s top Premier League Golden Boot contender: Jarrod Bowen

• Key stat: Jarrod Bowen averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season.

Like most of the West Ham squad, Jarrod Bowen had an underwhelming 2022/23 season, with six goals and five assists in 38 appearances. But he turned up, and then some, last season. The Englishman was directly involved in 22 goals in 34 Premier League games, thriving having played through the middle more often. Of course, no West Ham player was directly involved in more goals, and Bowen was top scorer for the Hammers on 16.

Of those 16 goals, 14 came from open play, with only three players managing more in the Premier League. They were Erling Haaland (18), Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins (both 16). He averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League and 1.1 on target, with a shooting accuracy of 44.05%. Bowen’s finishing was top quality too, with a +0.13 difference between his Expected Goals and Expected Goals on Target. So, by the positioning of Bowen’s shots, he increased his chances of scoring.

West Ham’s primary playmaker: James Ward-Prowse

• Key stat: James Ward-Prowse created 64 chances in the Premier League last season and provided seven assists.

It was only ever going to be James Ward-Prowse. The Englishman is one of the most creative players in the Premier League, both from set pieces and open play. He created 43 chances from set play last season, more than any other player in the Premier League. Six of Ward-Prowse’s seven assists came from set play too, another high in the Premier League.

He takes all the set pieces for West Ham, with 120 corners, almost 90 more than any other Hammers player. As a result, he was by far and away the most creative player from set pieces — with Jarrod Bowen and Vladimir Coufal both second on just six. Even when you look at chances created from open play, Ward-Prowse still ranked sixth for West Ham. Overall, he averaged 1.92 chances created per 90 minutes and 0.36 big chances.

West Ham’s card magnets & top tacklers: Edson Alvarez

• Key stat: Edson Alvarez averaged 3.02 tackles per 90 minutes in the 2023/24 Premier League.

Edson Alvarez had a decent first season in the Premier League after moving from Ajax to West Ham. He played 31 games in the Premier League, with 28 starts and three substitute appearances. Three of the seven games he missed came through suspension for yellow card accumulation. He had five yellow cards in his first nine Premier League appearances, and reached 10 yellows after 25 matches.

Alvarez ranked second for tackles in the Premier League for West Ham last season, with 80 — behind Emerson Palmieri’s 106. But they were a lot closer when you look at per 90 minutes, with Alvarez averaging 3.02 tackles per 90 to Emerson’s 3.04. And the real difference here is fouls. The Mexican committed 33 fouls in the Premier League last season at an average of 1.25 per 90 minutes. And, of course, let’s not forget the 11 yellow cards, more than any other West Ham players.

West Ham’s rising star: Freddie Potts

West Ham have a more experienced squad with a smattering of younger players, but Freddie Potts is one looking to play his way into the squad.

The 20-year-old has been part of West Ham’s pre-season preparations so far, having made three first team appearances and spent 2023/24 on loan at Wycombe. There, he played 43 times across all competitions, being a key role at the base of their midfield.

“It’s a new experience and something different than what I’ve been used to,” Potts told West Ham’s official website.

“He [Lopetegui] has got a different style of play compared to coaches I’ve had before, so it’s a good experience to learn from. I think we have all enjoyed it, tried to adapt and to implement everything we’ve done out in Austria, and I think at times we did that. I’ve enjoyed every moment so far.

“I love just trying to get on the ball and that’s what I tried to do as much as possible, and hopefully we have a head coach who likes to let his midfielders get on the ball as much as possible and try and make things happen, as that sort of style suits all of us as midfielders.”

West Ham’s set-piece specialists:

• Penalties: James Ward-Prowse
• Free kicks: James Ward-Prowse
• Corners: James Ward-Prowse

West Ham’s tactical analysis & formation

West Ham team stats from the 2023/24 Premier League season (avg per game):

• Corners: 4.42
• Shots on target: 4.05
• Shots on target conceded: 6.47
• Offsides: 1.87

Although there is a new man at the London Stadium helm, in terms of set up we may not see too much of a difference. Julen Lopetegui does favour the 4-2-3-1 that David Moyes had implemented at West Ham. One big difference should be the inclusion of Max Kilman into the back line. Kilman played under Lopetegui at Wolves and will not ride the bench, especially considering how much West Ham paid for the centre-back. He’ll slot in alongside Jean-Clair Todibo, with Emerson and Vladimir Coufal the full-backs.

In midfield, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse should provide the defensive screen. Alvarez, a keen tackler, would allow Ward-Prowse to get more involved in the attack as he likes to do. Jarrod Bowen can flex his creative muscles playing just behind the striker in a more advanced midfield position.

A difference we may see is new signings Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug being deployed on the left wing and up front respectively. Mohammed Kudus will be stationed on the other flank. The way these three link up, with Bowen behind them, will be key to Lopetegui’s style at West Ham.

West Ham’s full Premier League 2024/25 squad

West Ham FAQs

Where did West Ham finish in the 2023/24 Premier League season?

West Ham finished ninth in the Premier League last season, 11 points outside the European places.

Who is the West Ham manager?

Julen Lopetegui is West Ham’s manager, replacing David Moyes in the summer.

Who is the current West Ham captain?

Kurt Zouma was named West Ham campaign last season, after Declan Rice’s departure.

What is West Ham’s best Premier League finish?

West Ham finished 5th in the 1998/99 season, 10 points behind fourth-placed Leeds. They’ve finished in the top half of the table in 14 of their 28 Premier League seasons.

More Premier League 2024/25 content:

• Premier League 2024/25 outright odds
• Premier League 2024/25 Golden Boot odds
• Premier League net spend