Mark Lawrenson’s bonkers West Ham claim as big six pundits predict crunch Everton clash. West Ham welcome Everton to the London Stadium in another crunch Premier League clash and six big pundits have had their say.
The stakes really are high when West Ham face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. That seems to be the case every week for Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche at the moment.
Especially in the wake of reports the owners of both clubs are nervously watching whether the other will wield the axe with mutual West Ham and Everton interest in Sergio Conceicao. It will be alarming for 14th placed West Ham – after a £155m summer spend – that Everton could go above them with a win.
Especially after Dyche’s side made their worst ever start to a top flight campaign. There are conflicting rumours about what might happen to the losing manager.
But pressure on Lopetegui is not helped by the fact he will be without star player Mohammed Kudus and midfielder Edson Alvarez through suspension against the Toffees.
Although there was welcome good news for West Ham on the eve of the game as pictures emerged of Jarrod Bowen back training. For many Hammers fans losing at home to Everton will be the final straw for Lopetegui.
Everton have a had much the better of fixtures between the two sides historically.
The Blues have beaten West Ham more than any other side – 75 times. West Ham by contrast have won 45 of their encounters with 31 draws.
But how do the experts see it going? Mark Lawrenson has made a bonkers West Ham claim as the big six pundits predict this crunch Everton clash.
Shearer says it’s make or break for Lopetegui at West Ham
Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes this could be make-or-break for Lopetegui at West Ham. And for that very reason he’s backing the Hammers to get the win. “This is a massive game for Julen Lopetegui,” Shearer told The Metro.
“If West Ham lose, the noise around him and the club will be huge.
“Everton had a poor result against Southampton last week and they’re away again here so I’m not convinced they can turn up and win.
“I’ll go for a West Ham win because they simply have to.”
Sky Sports expert says Summerville could be key to Hammers win. Lewis Jones – aka Jones Knows – is one of Sky Sports’ leading football analysts.
He shares Shearer’s confidence and believes West Ham’s superior attacking threat will be the difference in a 2-1 win.
Jones has also noticed something very specific which could decide the game – corners.
“With West Ham’s greater threat in the final third rightly makes them favourites… but they aren’t a team I’m comfortable investing in,” Jones said on Sky Sports.
“As we referenced last week, only Jack Clarke (76) won more corners last season in the Championship than Crysencio Summerville (65).
“And, Everton do tend to ship a healthy amount of corners in away games of this nature as since Dyche took charge they have conceded 5.5 corners per game against teams in the bottom 10 of the Premier League away from Goodison Park. West Ham to win 2-1.”
Lawrenson’s bonkers West Ham claim as he predicts winner
Lawrenson has given an extremely peculiar take on the game. Lawro is infamous among West Ham fans for rarely backing them to win in his days doing predictions for BBC Sport.
So it may shock Hammers fans he has them down to beat the Toffees. But the reason he gives is far from convincing as it makes little sense.
Lawrenson says: “Everton should have won against Southampton and that ended their unbeaten run.
“West Ham are starting to show signs of life so I fancy them here. West Ham 2-0 Everton.”
Signs of life? Did he not watch the 3-0 defeat to Forest last weekend?
Merson thinks West Ham will do manager a massive favour Paul Merson is another who can’t seem to make his mind up about the Hammers.
He has once again uttered the words every West Ham fan hates hearing: “Be careful what you wish for.”
The pundit echoed Shearer’s comments, saying Lopetegui is now under pressure to deliver.
But Merson feels the Spaniard still doesn’t know his best XI. Despite all that, he predicts West Ham will do Lopetegui a massive favour by beating Everton 2-0 on Saturday.
