Marko Arnautovic is set for a fiery reception at the bet365 Stadium this weekend as he returns to Stoke City for the first time since his acrimonious summer departure to West Ham United. The Austrian’s exit, just one year into a four-year contract and accompanied by comments about it being “an easy decision to leave,” left a bitter taste with the Potters’ faithful. This Premier League clash is more than just three points; it’s a narrative of loyalty, resurgence, and the pressure mounting on managers.
The Narrative of the Return
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes was candid in his pre-match assessment, directly addressing the anticipated atmosphere. “I don’t think he’ll get a good reception,” Hughes stated, acknowledging the lingering resentment among supporters. However, the manager himself harbors no ill will, instead focusing on the threat his former player possesses. “He’s a good guy, a good player, seems to be coming into a little bit of form for West Ham, which is a little bit of a worry because we know what he can produce.”
For West Ham boss David Moyes, Arnautovic represents a key weapon as he looks to build on a surprisingly positive week. The Hammers secured a monumental victory over Chelsea followed by a hard-fought draw against Arsenal, showing a newfound defensive resilience. Moyes will be desperate to extend this unbeaten run and finally secure a positive result away from the London Stadium.
Team News and Tactical Setups
Stoke’s Defensive Headaches
The Potters’ preparations have been hampered by significant defensive absences. Kurt Zouma, the influential on-loan Chelsea centre-back, is ruled out after limping off at Burnley with a hamstring injury. He joins the unavailable Bruno Martins Indi (groin) and Glen Johnson (knee) on the sidelines. This forces Hughes into a defensive reshuffle, potentially weakening a backline that has struggled for consistency this season.
In more positive news, on-loan PSG forward Jese is expected to return next week after attending to his ill son, but midfielder Stephen Ireland remains a long-term absentee.
West Ham’s Suspension and Returns
The Hammers will have to navigate this tricky fixture without the services of suspended defender Winston Reid, who picked up his fifth yellow card in the midweek draw with Arsenal. His absence creates a void in the heart of the defense that Moyes must fill adeptly.
There is better news further up the pitch. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is back in training following a hamstring injury and could be in line for a return, offering a boost to the engine room. Forward Edimilson Fernandes will be assessed on an ankle problem, while Jose Fonte continues his rehabilitation from a long-term ankle injury.
Key Stats and Historical Context
The historical data presents a fascinating prelude to this encounter. Stoke are unbeaten in all eight Premier League games against West Ham under Mark Hughes (W3 D5), a stat that will give the home side confidence. However, the Potters have made their worst ever Premier League start after 17 games, accruing just 16 points (W4 D4 L9). Their form under Hughes over the last 41 league matches reads a concerning 41 points (W10 D11 L20), and they have kept a joint-league low of just two clean sheets this season.
West Ham’s travel sickness is well-documented. They have won just one of their last 16 Premier League away matches (W1 D6 L9) and are winless in their last nine on the road (W0 D3 L6). David Moyes, however, is on the verge of a personal milestone; he hasn’t gone three Premier League games unbeaten since March 2014 during his tenure at Manchester United.
In terms of individual threats, Javier Hernandez has a proven track record against Stoke, having scored five Premier League goals against them. For Stoke, the focus will be on Saido Berahino, who has scored three times against West Ham but is mired in a notorious goal drought lasting over 32 hours of football.
Expert Insight and Match Prediction
The pressure is palpably on Mark Hughes. A failure to win this home fixture against a team traditionally struggling away will only intensify the scrutiny from the Stoke supporters. The loss of Arnautovic and a perceived lack of investment in the squad has left the team reliant on veterans like 36-year-old Peter Crouch.
According to Jw7 football analyst, Paul Merson, the week has been “phenomenal” for West Ham, but he warns against underestimating a Stoke side desperate for a result. “Stoke need to win this game… this is a must-win game. Mark Hughes will be under even more pressure from the fans if they don’t win.”
Merson’s prediction reflects the tight, tense nature of this fixture, forecasting a narrow 1-0 home victory. This aligns with the expectation of a gritty match where Stoke’s home advantage and desperate need for points might just outweigh West Ham’s recent upsurge in form. For the latest odds and in-depth analysis, Jw7 remains your premier destination.
Marko Arnautovic’s Stoke Return: A Test of Loyalty and Form as West Ham Visits
This clash promises high drama. For Stoke, it’s a chance to kickstart their season and silence critics. For West Ham, it’s an opportunity to prove their recent results are a true turning point and finally solve their away-day woes. All eyes will be on Marko Arnautovic—will he silence the boos with a decisive performance, or will the Potters get the last laugh?
What are your predictions for the match? Do you think Arnautovic will score against his old club? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below. Don’t forget to share this Jw7 preview with fellow football fans!
