West Ham United are back home this weekend and they will face Norwich City for the first time since the 2015/16 season where both matches were 2-2 draws.
The return to the London Stadium will be an important one especially after their previous home performance was slightly deluded by a 5-0 beating from Man City. With that in mind, here is how the GSH staff predicted the match against the Canaries.
Jeremiah: 4-2 Win
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The biggest problem the Hammers face this weekend is two-fold. Firstly, it’s the always prevalent attack and positioning of Teemu Pukki. The EPL’s leading scoring seems to always find his way into the right spot which is exactly what you want from your striker.
Second, it’s the ever-moving and changing of Norwich City’s right and left-backs. The Hammers did a solid job of containing that against Brighton and will need to do so again. For West Ham, using the pace and skill from Lanzini and Anderson and the composer of Haller will be the difference.
I think Norwich will get on the board twice but West Ham’s attack will show up in quadruple fashion giving West Ham another 3 points.
Adam: 2-1 Win
Keeping Pukki to just one goal will likely be a victory in itself, but I do think West Ham have momentum and a team that can physically take down the newly promoted goalscoring machine that is Norwich. It’ll be close, but it should also be a continuation of the strong Hammers’ form since Brighton.
As for the goal, I think Haller will score one if not both of the Hammers’ goals. He’s too big, too strong, and too clinical to miss any chance on Krul in the net. Tammy Abraham had success against him last week due to his size and shooting, and I think Haller can replicate and improve on this success. Outside of our main man, look for Lanzini to sneak in a cheeky cut back goal. The Jewel has shined very bright this season and will nab a goal in this one.
Jay: 4-2 Win
In a high scoring match, I see the Hammers having too much quality upfront for Norwich to handle. I do think the Irons will have trouble defending against red-hot Norwich striker Teemu Pukki, however, I think the West Ham backline will do enough to secure the game. Anderson and Lanzini on the score sheet as West Ham win their second straight match and move up the table.
Jeff: 3-1 Win
West Ham historically has not had much trouble when facing Norwich City in the top flight. WHU haven’t lost at home to the Canaries since 1989. At the same time, Norwich has only won one of eleven vs the Irons and they are winless in their last 18 trips into London in the top flight. COYI
After three matches the two clubs are evenly matched on paper, but Norwich has one player that has caught the eye early in the campaign. Teemu Pukki has scored five of his clubs 6 goals so far.
Slowing him down and stopping him is job one for Manuel Pellegrini’s defense in this match. It will be interesting to see what pairing he decides to use in this one as Diop and Balbuena did help keep a clean sheet in the Cup match midweek.
Of course, the Hammers will be without super-sub Michael Antonio who did his hamstring early in that cup game. Yarmolenko has been starting on the wing opposite Anderson. Fornals got on the score sheet on Tuesday and he could also figure in here as a starter or sub.
I think the confidence in the side is growing and a club with aspirations like West Ham needs to collect all three points in a home match against a newly promoted side—regardless of how hot their strike may be to start. West Ham 3-1. COYI
Scott: 2-1 Win
First League Win? Check. Record signing off the mark? Check. Back it up with a solid midweek cup win? Also, Check. West Ham should be going into this match high on confidence but their opponents are taking to Premier League life well, so to write them off as simple newcomers will spell trouble, but I don’t think that’s Pellegrini’s way.
Whilst Norwich has played well so far they’ve looked leaky, and I think the Hammers could look to exploit their defensive issues the same way they did against Watford. Using pace to get into the wide areas of the box and cut back to supporting players we should have enough firepower to get our first home points of the season.
However the Hammers will have to keep Pukki quiet, the striker has adapted quickly and looks a potent finisher no matter the opponent.
Louis: 2-1 Win
Two sides who love to attack but are defensively vulnerable, to put it mildly. I think that after coming off the back of two good wins, we will keep that run going and get out the first home win of the season, but it certainly won’t be a stroll in the park.
We need to do what we do best up the far end of the pitch while remaining cautious about Norwich’s attacking threats – namely Teemu Pukki. Seb Haller to add to his brace last week, along with a goal from Lanzini to celebrate his new contract.
Well here it is Hammers fans, the entire GSH staff has picked the Claret and Blue to pick up the three points. Let hope that the boys have the same confidence level as the contributors do and send the Canaries back to Norwich empty-handed.