Burnley v West Ham United
Oh no… not another “must-win” game? Except this time, it genuinely is.
With Leeds beating Forest 3-1 last night, if West Ham United win at Turf Moor, the Hammers can close the gap to Sean Dyche’s team to just three points.
Lose… and we’re staring at remaining six adrift. Not even worth thinking about.
So, maths lesson over — let’s look ahead to a massive afternoon against Burnley FC, managed by former Hammer of the Year Scott Parker.
We arrive off the back of that gut-punch late defeat at Chelsea, having led 2–0 at half-time. Still, it’s worth remembering we’d won three on the bounce before that, and spirits in Nuno Espírito Santo’s camp are said to be decent. Saturday feels like yet another of those sliding-doors moments for our season.
Burnley sit five points behind us in 19th and are also fighting for their lives. Parker’s side were thumped 3–0 by Sunderland on Monday, but had drawn with Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs in January — so this won’t be straightforward. That said, there can be no excuses.
Nuno has backed his players and made it clear they understand the gravity of West Ham’s plight: “They realise the situation we’re in, and the players who have come in did before they signed. You have to be brave to do that, so I’m positive they’re aware about the fight we’re in.”
Team News
Jean-Clair Todibo is suspended after his red card at Chelsea, while Axel Disasi could make his Hammers debut following his deadline-day arrival — although I’d be amazed if Nuno doesn’t stick with Max Kilman.
James Ward-Prowse is ineligible for Burnley, and the Clarets also look set to be without Connor Roberts, Mike Trésor, Jordan Beyer, Zeki Amdouni and Josh Cullen.
Personally, I’d bring Ollie Scarles back in and maybe even draft Magassa into midfield — but I don’t see Nuno doing that.
Predicted West Ham XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Areola |
| RB | Wan-Bissaka |
| CB | Kilman |
| CB | Mavropanos |
| LB | Diouf |
| CM | Fernandes |
| CM | Souček |
| RM | Bowen |
| LM | Summerville |
| CF | Pablo |
| CF | Castellanos |
This is it. No hiding place.
Burnley will scrap, Turf Moor will be lively, and Parker will have them organised — but we have to show more composure than we did at Stamford Bridge. Bowen and Summerville should get joy out wide, Souček needs to dominate centrally if selected, and Pablo/Castellanos must start converting work rate into goals.
If we’re serious about survival, these are the games you win.
Prediction
I’m backing the Hammers to do it — and do it comfortably.
Burnley 1–3 West Ham
COYI.
4-0 to WHU. Taty &/or Pablo to score, while Areola saves everything. Burnley will be tough to beat like all PL teams but I am gambling that everything comes together for the team and it clicks – even referee decisions go in our favour!! It’s about time.
Also NES said something equivalent to ‘need to see games out differently’ which I think is manager speak for “I know,… I got it wrong” without admitting it. In other words, he will change tactics and not go 5 at the back, nor play (brilliant) Soucek for all of the 90+ mins, nor park the bus unless team comfortably leading and only 10 mins to play.
If instead NES takes usual 2nd half approach, then it is a tough 2-1 win all the same. The fact I am going for a 4-0 clean sheet explains why I am banned from going to casinos for my own good.😁
Yes, but the trouble is that ALL of our games are “must win” – & we generally DON’T win them – which is why we are 6 points adrift in the relegation zone. Should we beat Burnley ? Of course we SHOULD; but I have had 68 years of witnessing West Ham “should have beating” teams. More often than not, we don’t beat them !
Great picks Gonzo. Looks right to me. Comfortable – but no time for slacking or resting on laurels.
Well done Gonzo for putting your head on the block
I will follow suit – two-nil to the cockney boys – Kilman surprises us all by keeping a clean sheet Summerville keeps up his hot streak and Callum Wilson comes on and grabs a second
COYI
Cheers mate . . . gotta be a win really
Brave prediction Gonzo. Let’s hope you’re right 🤞
We should be on top for as long as Taty and Pedro can keep up their workrate. When they fade Nuno must call it right and pdq. Not an extra defender Wilson and Adama on.
So long as we do that I think we’ll win, there has to be a clean sheet at some point and I’m going Burnley 0-1 West Ham.
This genuinely is a must win though, we must pick up points and if not against Burnley then who…
Avoid early Burnley goal and stay away from getting any more suspensions.
Players are thin on the ground.
Traore put on a tight leash.
COYI I reckon we will win 3-1 also mate