West Bromwich Albion FC
West Ham United FC
West Ham United FC
West Ham desperate to hang onto European position against West Brom
West Ham to win 1-0
West Ham have seen their fortunes drift in recent weeks, going from sitting in pole position for the 4th place spot to dropping swiftly into 7th.
Unfortunately, their dip in form has coincided with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs all upping their game in recent weeks. The Hammers know that if they stand any chance of climbing up into the top six, they must start winning once again.
With just a solitary win over Burnley from their last five games, the Hammers are experiencing their worst form since mid-December.
West Brom have lost three of their last five matches, going without victory in any of them, and it appears having their relegation officially confirmed has knocked the stuffing out of them once again.
Can they give a strong account of themselves in their final two matches of the season?
Form Guide (all comps): LDDLL
Reasons to be cheerful:
Gave a strong performance against Liverpool in their last game
A good time to face West Ham
Reasons to be fearful:
Lost to the Hammers earlier in the season
Conceded 11 goals in their last five games
West Brom have proved that they will fight to the very end, despite knowing that they will be playing Championship football next season.
They showed this against Liverpool at the weekend, drawing 1-1 until the 95th minute until an incredible headed winner from Liverpool’s goalkeeper stole a point from the Baggies.
Although Big Sam has certainly improved the Baggies since he arrived, they’ve still conceded a league-high 44 goals in that period, keeping just four clean sheets. It’s unlikely that he will remain at the club into the start of next season.
It could be a good time to face West Ham, with their opponents clearly running out of steam, though it would need a big performance from the Baggies themselves.
Star Man – Matheus Pereira
The Baggies’ top scorer grabbed an assist against Liverpool in the last game.
Form Guide (all comps): LLWLD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Haven’t been playing badly despite mixed run of form
Their 28 away points this season is a joint-club record
Reasons to be fearful:
Their goals have dried up recently
They’ve run out of steam at the wrong time
There are plenty of positives for West Ham this season, and assuming that they don’t collapse in these final two games, should end the season positively.
Their hopes of reaching the Champions League were always beyond most people’s expectations, and considering how they only just survived relegation last season, a top seven finish would represent growth under David Moyes.
He will want to turn around their current form, of course. Three defeats from their last five games is their worst form of the season. Their goals have also dried up somewhat, with four scored in their last four games, compared with 12 from their previous four.
They’re favourites to claim three points here, and that should help them finish the season strongly.
Star Man – Michail Antonio
The striker has 14 goal involvements in his last 14 away games for West Ham.
West Ham are favourites
Can either side banish their recent poor form?
Could be a low scoring game
Six points from their remaining two games would ensure West Ham finish what has been a fantastic season brightly. It could even push them up into 6th if Spurs slip up.
Their form has been short of what we’ve seen this season of late, but you wouldn’t bet against them rediscovering their form against a poor West Brom team here.
West Ham to win 1-0
