Arguably the pick of this weekend's Premier League games is the first of the lot as top-four hopefuls West Ham United and Arsenal collide at the Boleyn Ground.

The Hammers' push for a Champions League finish has stuttered a little recently, but victory over the Gunners would put them well and truly back in the race.

West Ham

West Ham are unbeaten in nine, but after three straight Premier League victories they have drawn the last two and now face a third straight London derby.

Since an incredible late fightback at Everton, Slaven Bilic's side have drawn 2-2 against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace, although they can feel hard done by to have just two points instead of six.

Against Chelsea they were denied victory because of a contentious late penalty, while last week at home to Palace a red card shown to Cheikhou Kouyate that has since been rescinded gave Palace a boost when they were trailing 2-1.

West Ham have dropped to sixth having lost ground to those around them, but they are still only three points behind Manchester City in fourth.

Despite the dropped points against a Palace side yet to win a league game in 2016, Dimitri Payet again stole the show with a pinpoint free kick.

The Frenchman, who also scored a trademark set piece over the international break for Les Bleus, has netted four direct free-kick goals for West Ham this season in all competitions, a haul only Chelsea's Willian can better (six).

At home, the Hammers are unbeaten in their last 13 home games (W7 D6), the longest such current run in the top flight.

Saturday's clash is the first of two huge games for Bilic's boys, with Manchester United the next to visit East London for an FA Cup quarter-final replay. The winner will go through to face Everton at Wembley.

Recent Premier League form: DWWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDDD

Arsenal

Going out of both the FA Cup and Champions League last month made it a disappointing March for the Gunners, but they are still just about in the title race thanks to back-to-back league wins.

Clean sheets were kept in both, with a 2-0 triumph at Everton followed up last week with a convincing 4-0 win over Watford, the side that ended their dream of winning the FA Cup three years in a row.

Arsene Wenger's side are still third and did not close the 11-point gap to leaders Leicester City on matchday 32, but North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur did drop points and are now only four points ahead having played a game more.

Teenage forward Alex Iwobi has stood out in the two recent wins and scored in both of his first two league starts, something only Ian Wright and Davor Suker (scored in first three) also managed in the Premier League.

The 19-year-old is said to be discussing a new contract, but he may miss the start of next season if he goes to the Rio Olympics with Nigeria.

Wenger has won nine and lost just two of his 16 Premier League visits to the Boleyn Ground (W9 D5 L2). The only away grounds at which he has won more often in the league are Goodison Park and Villa Park (both 10 wins).

In his pre-match press conference, Wenger admitted that he had watched West Ham star Payet on several occasions before deciding against making a move for the former Marseille man because he had enough creative players.

Recent Premier League form: WLLDWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWLLWW

Team News

Arsenal keeper Petr Cech returned to the squad last week against Watford after a month injured but was an unused substitute. He should be back between the sticks, with midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini also closing in on full fitness.

It would be a surprise if either started, but of the two Ramsey is more likely to come straight back in.

Olivier Giroud, who has has found the net five times in six Premier League games against West Ham, has lost his place in recent weeks to the likes of Iwobi and Danny Welbeck and could again be on the bench despite his good record against the East Londoners.

Kouyate will be available for the home side after his red card was overturned, and that could be a huge boost given that he has scored in two of his three Premier League games against the Gunners.

Few changes are expected from Bilic, but he may opt to bring back James Tomkins at right-back so that Michail Antonio can push forward into a more comfortable wide-midfield role.

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian; Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Antonio, Payet, Lanzini; Sakho

Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal; Coquelin, Elneny; Sanchez, Ozil, Iwobi; Welbeck

Head To Head

West Ham are aiming to do the double over Arsenal for the first time since 2006-07. The reverse on the opening day of the season kickstarted what has been a memorable campaign under Bilic, with Kouyate and Mauro Zarate making it a nightmare debut for Cech in goal.

Arsenal's defeat in August ended a run of nine consecutive Premier League wins against the Hammers.

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We say: West Ham 1-3 Arsenal

With one eye on United's visit and the prospect of getting to Wembley on Wednesday night, the Hammers might just be a little off-colour and Arsenal could prove too strong.