It’s been a season of ups and downs so far for West Ham, so let’s hope we’re due some ups now! Next up is Burnley and a chance for the Hammers to go on a positive run. What do the GSH staff think?
Scott: 2-0 to West Ham
OK there has been a lot of criticism around the team in the last few weeks, and rightly so. The side has been poor when pressured and has not lived up to its billing. But with a decent run of games there are a few players that will hope to finally live up to the reputations they have. But can they all perform on the same game?
Arnautovic is set to be back in the starting lineup, and that will re-energise the side for sure. There will be more of a target to the attacks and hopefully the other side will be more worried about us. Anderson needs to start performing in the attacking sense, or at least just get corners into the box without hitting the first defender. Diop and Balbuena are looking strong at the back and whilst Burnley are a functional side, they aren’t firing so far this season. Hopefully West Ham can give Joe Hart a bad return to the London Stadium.
Adam: 2-1 to West Ham
West Ham have a better team on paper, especially when you look at the keepers. Fabianski has not only seen a ton of shots like Hart, but he has repelled more than his opposition and stolen multiple points for his team thus far in the season. West Ham know what Hart is all about and know how to beat him. If there was ever a time to start shooting shots from everywhere and anywhere, this is it. Hart struggles with timing on shots from range and also has issues with rebound control. Arnautovic and his wingers can test this, but the midfielders Obiang and Snodgrass can also look to expose him with these tactics too.
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I gave them a goal because it just seems likely. Fabianski has been great along with Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena at centre-back, but something tells me a looping corner will come to the back post where Arthur Masuaku will be a step behind Sam Vokes who will head it in. Burnley are a well drilled team full of hardworking players who do their job to near perfection. West Ham will certainly have to earn any points they get but I fancy them to take all three.
Jeff – West Ham 2-0
For pragmatic reasons, the Irons need to rack up points during this part of the fixture list against teams that on paper they are better than. The other reason the Hammers need some goals and a big effort here is to put the less than acceptable performance mid-week vs Spurs in the Carabao Cup behind them. And you can’t win if you don’t score goals. West Ham United hasn’t scored more than 1 goal since September. They’ve only scored more than 1 goal twice all season (in the PL). That’s not going to get it done here. Especially when facing the familiar Joe Hart and his leaky left side.
I expect the Irons to come out on the front foot, led by Marko Arnautovic of course and finish their chances for once in route to a much needed clear victory and clean sheet.
Jeremiah: 2-1 to West Ham
This weekends match is a return of a lot of horrific things for West Ham; Joe Hart and Burnley. That’s a joke of course for Hart but last seasons Home match was the low point to our season. Not to mention that leading up to this match hasn’t been the greatest and fans are beginning to get unsettled.
A bright spot? Burnley have been lackluster at best the past few weeks and we need to take advantage of that. I predict at least two goals simply based on Joe Hart’s inability to catch a ball and not rebound well. West Ham win 2-1, COME ON YOU IRONS!