Shearer has issued his predictionplaceholder image
Shearer has issued his prediction | Getty Images
West Ham are hoping to at least avoid losing ground in the relegation battle this weekend.
West Ham have done some fine work over recent weeks, but there is still plenty of work to do. The Hammers have fought back from a big deficit to cut the gap to safety to just two points, with Nottingham Forest above them struggling to stay above the dotted line.
The Hammers have the momentum, especially with Forest having swapped managers of late, bringing in former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira. But momentum can swing in an instant, and the Iron do now have a tough run of games that will test their ability to hang in the battle.
This weekend, West Ham have a tricky test on their hands, facing Liverpool away from home, and an improved Reds side too as they look to land a top four finish this season. Meanwhile, Forest head to Brighton for a still tricky but more manageable game.
It will be interesting to see how different the relegation picture looks after this weekend, and according to Alan Shearer, there will be some change.
Predicting the Liverpool vs West Ham game with the Metro, he said: “West Ham are definitely on the up form-wise whether that’s going to be enough I’m not quite sure, they’re going up against Liverpool, who had a good result last time out, away to Nottingham Forest. It has to be a Liverpool home win.
“If you offered West Ham a point now, they’d snap your hands off, but I’m not sure they’ll get one. Prediction – Liverpool win.”
Meanwhile, Shearer had the following to say about Forest’s trip to Brighton: “It was a massive win for Brighton last weekend, brilliant for James Milner as well after they left Carlos Baleba out, putting Milner in there. It turned out to be a really wise decision, but I wasn’t convinced.
“Forest definitely looked better with a real improvement last weekend against Liverpool, albeit not getting the result they wanted. I’m going to sit on the fence a bit here and say a draw. The manager’s words to them this week was saying that they’re really happy with what they’ve got, but they need to finish chances. I still think it’ll be between Forest and West Ham as to who goes down. Prediction – Draw.”
Those predictions, if they prove true, mean Forest would extend their lead over West Ham to three points, and there would also be an increase of Forest’s lead when it comes to goal difference, which currently stands at three points.
West Ham will be hoping to prove Shearer wrong with a big result at Anfield this weekend.
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