Monday, December 23, 2024

Sutton’s predictions: Brentford v West Ham

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[BBC]

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Brentford host West Ham at 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Julen Lopetegui needs a result and he needs a performance, the West Ham way… whatever that is under him.

Their fans wanted a change, and they got the change… and I think they have expected a much better start than the one they have got.

On top of the result, what was worrying about last week’s home defeat by Chelsea was how vulnerable the Hammers looked defensively. If they were solid at the back it would give them something to build on until they click up front, but there was not much to build on there.

West Ham were miles off in that game, and ended up well beaten by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night too. The Reds were very fortunate with how they scored their first goal, but it feels like everything is going against Lopetegui at the moment.

Brentford are always superbly organised and carry a goal threat. They went ahead against Manchester City and Tottenham in their past two league games and although they ended up losing both, they ran Spurs very close and gave City plenty to think about too.

Even without the injured Yoane Wissa, the Bees are a well-balanced team – and probably not the kind of opposition that West Ham need or want right now.

Smith’s prediction: 3-1

For the last few games I have been expecting it to click for West Ham, and that Niclas Fullkrug would score some goals, but it hasn’t happened. They have got some good players but they just seem to be in such a rut that I can’t see them winning this one either.

Brentford have lost their last two league games but both times they created so many chances and have gone for it. I am expecting them to go for it again here and, if West Ham aren’t at it, Brentford could win comfortably.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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