Pundits predict more doom for hapless Hammers

Unsurprisingly both the main media pundits are predicting more misery for the hapless Hammers on Saturday.

BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson predicts a 2-0 away loss for the Hammers by telling his website readers:

“Both of these sides are in poor form – Burnley have lost their past three league games, while West Ham are on a run of five without a win.

I was surprised to see Burnley get a shellacking, by their standards, at Sheffield United last weekend – and I bet training has been fun with Clarets boss Sean Dyche since then.

The Hammers also had a bad day in their 3-2 defeat by Newcastle, and could easily have ended up on the wrong end of a far bigger scoreline.

Both teams will be looking to make a big improvement, but it is Burnley I am backing here.

They don’t normally go too long without a win because they are capable of putting in a really gritty performance, and I am expecting them to have a go at West Ham”.

Sky pundit Charlie Nicholas put us down for a 2-1 loss by telling his website readers:

“Both teams are unpredictable. I thought Burnley were getting back to their old ways but they took a beating at Sheffield United. The defenders have work to do. West Ham were three down and probably should have equalised against Newcastle. They are a talented side but Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini have not produced thus far. Robert Snodgrass has been their best player over the last couple of weeks. They need to supply Sebastian Haller with early crosses and they could get somewhere, but it will back to basics for Burnley.

Claret and Hugh say:

I think Charlie Nicholas is spot on when he says both teams are unpredictable at the moment. when you expect West Ham to win they lose so the logic should work in reverse that if we will expect the Hammers to lose against Burnley we will win.  If only football was that simple! It is a hard one to call, I’d expect a lot more effort from West Ham after a poor run of results with a more aggressive start away from home. Personally I predict this away game as a draw which would leave West Ham winless in seven. I hope I am proved wrong and we smash the Clarets 3-0 before another International break starts.