West Ham United face a crucial Premier League fixture this Saturday as they travel to West London to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage. After a mixed start to the season with two losses and one win, the Hammers find themselves just below Fulham in the table, needing a positive result to build momentum.
The Irons have struggled at Craven Cottage in recent years, having won only twice there since 2010. Last season, they were thrashed 5-0 at Fulham, highlighting the challenge they face. With expectations high after a busy transfer window, Lopetegui is still eyeing potential free transfers to strengthen his squad.
A major concern ahead of the match is the appointment of Tim Robinson as the referee. Robinson has a controversial history with West Ham, particularly in a match against Bournemouth in February, where his performance was widely criticised. He was accused of missing several key decisions, including failing to award a clear penalty that was only overturned by VAR. Given Robinson’s track record in West Ham games, many fans fear his officiating could impact the outcome against Fulham.
West Ham will need to be at their best and hope for a fair and balanced performance from the referee to secure a crucial win. Anything less could leave them in a difficult position as they look to climb the Premier League table