Written by : @JGriffithJourno
Our last three games weren’t too bad, were they? A point away at ‘bogey team’ Brighton followed by back to back wins against Watford and Norwich leave us sitting 5th in the league; I know I can’t be the only one with vertigo at the moment!
Our next three games are all as winnable as the previous trio, but we are West Ham so anything could happen. Here is my preview of our upcoming Premier League fixtures.
Aston Villa (A)
Villa have endured a difficult start in their return to the top flight. They have a solitary win, coming against Everton in their 3rd game of the season. Last time out they lost 1-0 to a relatively poor Crystal Palace side and the Eagles’ 22 shots suggest the deficit could have been more, although these lopsided stats could be down to new signing Trezeguet’s 54th minute red card. It is new signings that look to be the theme of their season, with 12 arrivals in the summer.
However, these new signings have struggled to click so far. None of the new boys have stood out so far and instead Villa look as reliant on the creative brilliance of John McGinn and Jack Grealish in midfield as ever. Both players will be key in Villa’s attempts to break down a Hammers defence that kept a clean sheet against a free-flowing Norwich last time out.
Douglas Luiz sits behind the two midfielders and it will be his job to limit a rejuvenated Manuel Lanzini in this game. However, Villa’s defensive frailties, especially at full-back, will show and West Ham will run out as comfortable victors. Haller may struggle aerially against the dominant Tyrone Mings but he will still play an important role in ensuring Felipe Anderson, Lanzini and Yarmolenko get plenty of space in behind Villa’s defence as they look to be our main threats.
Score Prediction: 1-3
Manchester United (H)
United have endured a terrible start to their season, which looks to be one of transition. Although their points tally is only 5, expected points suggest they should actually have 9 points from their opening 4 fixtures; so maybe they have just been unlucky.
They have lined up in a 4231 this season, with Daniel James being the standout player. His pace is electric while he has also proven to his doubters that he has the end product to cut it at the top level. Ryan Fredericks will have his work cut out, but he is no slouch himself and as United try to free James down the left we could see a race similar to Speedy Gonzalez facing off against Road Runner. If Ryan can put in a performance that we know he is capable of, we stand every chance of coming out of this game with all three points.
Man U’s defence looks fragile at best, expecially if veteran winger-turned-defender Ashley Young plays. Haller will peel onto Lindelof and dominate ‘The Iceman’ physically, while his technical ability could bamboozle Maguire, who looked clumsy against Kosovo in the week.
I am oddly optimistic about this game. Diop and Ogbonna should be able to contain Rashford with relative ease and our attack is much better than their defence, as long as we bypass McTominay in midfield as he is their only outstanding ball-winner in the middle. Solskjaer may be under serious pressure after his visit to the London Stadium
Score Prediction: 2-0
Bournemouth (A)
Did you know we haven’t beaten Bournemouth since 2016? Of course you did, because it is a game we dread every time it comes around. The unpredictability of both participants makes this is a very interesting game for the neutral, but a very frustrating one for a fan.
Bournemouth are currently sitting 15th in the table and their team would make a wonderfully one-sided game if they were to play against each other. Their attack is brilliant, with Harry Wilson in particular set for a brilliant season. Meanwhile, their defence is atrocious. Nathan Ake is the best of a bad bunch, regularly having to cover his accompanying centre backs and occasionally anonymous full-backs simultaneously. West Ham are really no different to this mould, so goals should be aplenty.
As confident as I am that we will actually leave the south coast with all 3 points, it would be very unlike West Ham to have taken 15 points from 5 games. Therefore, I am going to be sensible and predict this away game to be our slip up. The positive will be that it will not be a loss and also Seb Haller is going to grab a brace in an eventful draw!
Score Prediction: 2-2
