Frank McAvennie predicts West Ham clash v Southampton
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes Declan Rice will be crucial to getting West Ham over the line on Sunday when they host Southampton at the London Stadium.
The Irons need just one point to secure Europa League football next season after Wednesday night’s 3-1 win at West Brom sent David Moyes’ side three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, who lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
Southampton will arrive in East London on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United and that was their fifth in their last eight games as they end the season in dire straits.
The reverse fixture on the south coast saw the sides play out a low-key 0-0 draw, but McAvennie expects the Irons to win this time around.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I think with Declan Rice back and the players all fit…I’m going for a 2-1 win against Southampton.”
High stakes
A win or draw would send the Irons into the Europa League group stage but a defeat, coupled with a Spurs win at Leicester City on Sunday, would put us into the newly-created Europa Conference League.
The third-tier competition is set for its inaugural season and it will be a trip into the unknown for the clubs who qualify for it.
Even the merits of the Europa League get debated in some quarters so there is unlikely to be much appetite for it amongst many supporters.
It’s still a shot at European glory so we would gladly take it over nothing, but we’ve come so far to give up the Europa League dream.
We could be hosting clubs like Juventus in the competition next season and that would be a brilliant reward for our fans who have had to endure a campaign sitting at home and watching from afar.
In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling aims thinly-veiled swipe at clubs who ignored ‘Undervalued’ Irons asset.
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