Love them or hate them there’s no ignoring the pundits who queue up the day before crucial games to get their own predictions into the ether. Chris Sutton has been no friend of the Hammers over the years and I seem to remember last season he forecast some ridiculous number of West Ham losses on the spin – sadly what made it worse is that Sutton wasn’t actually so wide of the mark.
The former Blackburn Rovers Premier League-winning striker now writes for BBCSport and has for once sounded more invested in West Ham’s relegation plight than normal:
“The Eagles are safe but I am still a little bit worried about West Ham. Yes they played well against Wolves last time out, but they were very nervy until they took the lead.
“As well as being important, this is a tough game for the Hammers too. Crystal Palace left it very late to beat Newcastle but they have now taken seven points from their past three games and seem to have found some form again.
Despite Summerville being fit, Sutton predicts a draw…
“This is going to be tense for them too. I don’t say this about many of my predictions, but I am pretty certain about how this will end up – with the points shared.”
Not the end of the world, but a draw and one point only would place West Ham somewhat precariously just two points above Tottenham with five to play.
West Ham’s tougher remaining fixtures would then have to favour Spurs. East London fans will have to hope that Sutton’s prediction proves wide of the mark and the Hammers can start fast out of the blocks and overwhelm a Palace side in good form but probably not yet over their European adventure last Thursday.
Pre-game nerves rating: 8/10 and rising..
We can’t go into the game thinking Palace are tired and over celebrated that would be a mistake . We need everything to be 110 % and match their energy and some . COYI ⚒
I am not seeing West Ham’s remaining fixtures as being tougher than those of Spurs, or any other reason to favour Tottenham’s situation. For whatever reason it seems that the Spurs players did not see any scenario whereby they would be fighting for survival, but here they are. Meanwhile, West Ham have been facing the prospect all season and are showing much better form than Spurs so far. Both teams have home games against Leeds and Everton and Spurs have to play Villa and Chelsea away while West Ham are home to Arsenal and away at Brentford. Forest have the toughest schedule with Newcastle as their best bet for a win. Still all to play for, for all of them.
We need to not lose for certain with a win being extremely welcome. The games are running out but I still think we can outpace Tottenham and Forest even if Leeds look to have shown us a clean pair of heels.
Bottom line is we need to achieve.