Watford v West Ham United: Moyes to open with defeat at Vicarage Road as Hornets look to bounce back

David Moyes will take his place in the West Ham United dugout for the first time on Sunday afternoon when his new charges travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford.

The 54-year-old Scot was named as successor to Slaven Bilic after the West Ham hierarchy called time on the Croat's reign in east London following a string of disappointing results, with a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Liverpool before the international break acting as the catalyst for change.

There has been a mixed reaction to news of Moyes' appointment as manager amongst the West Ham faithful and the former Sunderland boss has acknowledged that he feels as if he has a point to prove as he aims to silence his detractors.

Richard Heathcote

Preserving the Hammers' place in the Premier League is, of course, Moyes' main objective and, with some particularly testing fixtures to come in December, it is imperative that the Hammers pick up points from their next three matches - with fixtures against Leicester City and Everton to come following Sunday's visit to Vicarage Road.

The odds compilers, though, are anticipating that the Hammers will find the going tough in this game; indeed, Betfair Sportsbook offer 12/5 (3.40) that Moyes' reign as West Ham boss begins with victory, while the same firm go 13/5 (3.60) that the visitors pick up a precious point.

The Hornets have won praise from many quarters following a solid start to the season, so much so that there was speculation earlier in the week regarding Marco Silva’s future at Vicarage Road, with Everton seeking permission to talk to the 40-year-old Portuguese as their hunt for a new manager continues, but that request was rejected and so the former Hull City manager will still be in home dugout this weekend.

Watford, though, have been beaten in each of their last three matches, including just before the international break when they surrendered a 2-0 lead before missing a stoppage time penalty kick that would have secured a point in a 3-2 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park.

Silva’s side, therefore, will be determined to stop the rot when they line up against the Hammers and Betfair Sportsbook offer 11/10 (2.10) that Silva's side get back to winning ways, although home fixtures have yielded precious little success so far this season as Watford have won just one of their five Premier League matches on their own patch.

West Ham's last four fixtures in all competitions have produced 17 goals and Betfair Sportsbook's 8/11 (1.72) quote for goals at both ends looks to be a solid selection, while the same firm go 9/10 (1.90) that there are at least three goals scored when these two teams lock horns.

The 11/10 (2.10) quote, therefore, for Silva's side to take all three points from Sunday's showdown could represent good value for punters ahead of this one.