Graham Potter Richard Keys
(Credit: Imago & beIN Sports)
Alex Charlton
Fri 15 August 2025 16:30, UK
Richard Keys has shared his prediction on how West Ham will fare in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Graham Potter has work to do to convince supporters he is the right man for the job after taking over from Julen Lopetegui.
The 50-year-old stemmed the flow of goals conceded, but failed to deliver positive play or form of any kind.
West Ham kick off their campaign against Sunderland in what could be a potential banana skin in the Premier League.
West Ham boss Graham Potter
Potter is already under pressure (Credit: Imago)
Keys shares West Ham thoughts for Premier League season
Paul Merson has called Potter’s clash with Sunderland a ‘nightmare’, given how up for it the Black Cats should be.
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West Ham have lost the opening match of the Premier League more than any other side, in a concerning statistic.
Many are expecting the Hammers to struggle, given how their 2024/25 campaign unfolded, although pre-season has provided some encouragement.
Potter’s men defeated Everton and Bournemouth, losing just one summer match to Man United.
The Hammers finished 14th last term
They only lost one game in pre-season
Pressure is on Potter to turn performances around
However, this is where the real business begins, and if the East Lononers start poorly, then the pressure will pile on Potter.
Richard Keys has written on his expectations for the campaign, predicting Sunderland, Burnley, and Brentford to go down.
The presenter gave his verdict on every team in detail before delivering just five words on the Hammers.
Keys said: “So that leaves West Ham,” followed by a shrug emoji via his online blog on 14 August, suggesting he has very little idea how they will perform this term.
Read more: Nayef Aguerd axed, three competitive debuts – West Ham predicted XI vs Sunderland
Graham Potter sitting West Ham
The former Chelsea boss needs early results (Credit: Imago)
Potter has secret weapon for Hammer s success
It would be easy to predict the Irons to struggle after what transpired last term, but they could spring a surprise.
That is because the Hammers have El Hadji Malick Diouf up their sleeves, having signed him for £19million from Slavia Prague.
Many will be unfamiliar with the left-sided player, but Diouf delivered a fine performance for West Ham against Bournemouth in pre-season.
Indeed, he impressed throughout the summer and could prove to be a bargain buy in the capital.
Last season, he produced 10 league goal contributions and will provide the Hammers with the pace and directness they crave.
Seven league goals
Three league assists
Potter’s side are indeed a tough one to predict, but progress is the only thing that will suffice.
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