Liverpool welcome West Ham this weekendplaceholder image
Liverpool welcome West Ham this weekend | AFP via Getty Images
A look at the pundit predictions for West Ham’s tricky away trip to Liverpool.
West Ham continue their attempt to haul themselves out of the bottom three this weekend when they face Liverpool away at Anfield. The Hammers have been in good form of late, looking much harder to beat and picking up enough points to move to within two points of safety.
Liverpool will be a tricky task for the Hammers, with the Reds chasing a top four spot and hoping to close the three-point gap that sits between themselves and Manchester United. But Nuno Espirito Santo knows that his side are going to have to pick up some unexpected points between now and the end of the season if they want to catch Nottingham Forest.
Ahead of the Anfield clash, we have rounded up the predictions from BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton and SportsKeeda’s Paul Merson.
Paul Merson
“West Ham are fighting for their lives and got a big result with the draw against Bournemouth last weekend. The fact that Nottingham Forest were extremely unlucky against Liverpool helped West Ham. Now, they are just one result away from getting out of the relegation zone.
“As we speak West Ham are joined by Forest and Tottenham in the battle to avoid relegation. The team that stays up will be the one that produces a big result in the coming weeks. I expect one of them to get a win where we all go, 'how did they do that?' Will it be West Ham? Not this week, no.
“Liverpool were atrocious against Forest last weekend. But I expect them to win here. There is a lot of talk about whether Rio Ngumoha should be starting games for Liverpool. It's hard at the moment because of the position Liverpool find themselves in.
“Ngumoha is a great talent and he has a bright future. But Liverpool's Champions League qualification is on the line and they cannot afford to miss out on it. That's why I think Arne Slot will stick to experience over youth.
“There is also absolutely no way Ibrahima Konate is signing a new deal at Liverpool! I think they will keep Van Dijk and bring someone in during the summer. Jeremy Jacquet has joined them but he doesn't have the experience. It will be hard for Liverpool to find the perfect replacement for Konate in the current market.
“West Ham's momentum has changed, one defeat in eight games is not a bad run. Their big game is against Fulham in midweek. If they fail to win that game, they could get relegated because after that fixture, it's Manchester City at home and Aston Villa away. By the time they face Wolves after these games, it may all be over. Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United.”
Chris Sutton
“I keep hearing how West Ham have turned a corner, and they have improved recently, but I still thought last week's draw at home to Bournemouth was a poor result. The Hammers were helped by Nottingham Forest and Tottenham both being beaten, but a win would have been massive for them.
“Liverpool were very unconvincing at Forest, but they did nick the win. Some of their fans are still whinging about Arne Slot and he is always being compared to Jurgen Klopp, but they are actually on a decent run of results and showing a bit of spirit too.
“They are right in the mix for the top four but now they need to keep winning - I expect them to do that on Saturday. Prediction: 2-1.”
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