Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 24 April 2026 12:40, UK

West Ham United face former manager David Moyes with Everton coming to the London Stadium.

It is a clash poised for permutations on both ends of the table. One side has Europe in mind; another has their Premier League status.

Overall, the intense goals for the two outfits could turn this clash into an electric affair.

Nuno Espirito Santo will, of course, be coming up with a game plan to take all three points against the Toffees.

However, ahead of West Ham’s next match, the Hammers may already have the tools to do so.

How West Ham can punish Everton weakness

West Ham will be looking to pick up three points against former manager David Moyes when Everton come to London Stadium.

The relegation battle is tight, but the Toffees’ push for Europe makes this clash just as important for both sides.

However, the Hammers may have the perfect setup to deal Everton damage in Saturday’s game.

In the Premier League, according to WhoScored, Everton are joint-second for goals conceded to counter-attacks with six. Only Sunderland have conceded more (seven).

Additionally, according to Data.MB, the Irons are one of the most direct teams in the Premier League, with the lowest passes per possession (3.78). Meanwhile, having the fourth counter-attacks per 90 (1.41).

Furthermore, the graph displayed in the tweet below showcases the E20 outfit on its own in the upper left quadrant for shooting zone efficiency.

To simplify, this means that while West Ham do not often get chances in optimal shooting areas, they do tend to be efficient and clinical with what they get.

With Everton’s vulnerability on the counter and West Ham’s perceived qualities, it looks set to be an interesting battle between the two sides.

Could this game be ideal for Adama Traore?

Adama Traore has not been trusted by Nuno this season, and with each game crucial to the Hammers’ chances, it is unlikely that changes.

However, with Everton susceptible to counters and Traore having plenty of pace in attack, he could end up being a force off the bench.

Against Crystal Palace, Traore was not handed any minutes, but this is an ideal opportunity for that to change.

With a tired Everton backline, diminished without the injured Jarrad Branthwaite, perhaps Traore could have quite the say yet in the relegation battle.

If called upon, Traore needs to take his chance, not only with West Ham, but also for his future after this season.