Paul Merson predicts West Ham United vs Sheffield United result, moots ‘issue’ for ‘manager’s dream’ Jarrod Bowen
Paul Merson has predicted West Ham to record a comfortable victory at home to Sheffield United this weekend despite defeats in their previous two Premier League games.
Losses to Manchester City and Liverpool have stunted the strong start to the season but Merson expects the Hammers to get back on the horse by securing a 3-0 home win in his Sportskeeda predictions (28 September).
The Sky Sports pundit has highlighted the excellent form of Anfield scorer Jarrod Bowen but suggested the winger has an “issue” as he looks to make the England squad for Euro 2024 because there is so much competition at his position.
Merson said: “Sheffield United are all over the place and are coming on the back of a damaging 8-0 home defeat to Newcastle. West Ham got nothing against Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks, but they put up a good show and have enjoyed a good start to the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
“I see nothing but a West Ham win here, especially with players like Jarrod Bowen in fine form. I’m a big fan of him and he has shown over the past 12 months that he can step up to the plate in big games, while he works his socks off for his team and is an absolute manager’s dream.
“The only issue for Bowen is that England have too many players in his position, so he might find it hard to break into the side ahead of Euro 2024.”
Response
On paper Sheffield United at home should be a game where David Moyes looks to get his side to restore confidence after two very tough opponents.
A 1-0 victory at Lincoln City secured a place in the next round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night but wasn’t the sort of resounding result that fans might have hoped for against League One opposition.
However, it shows there are few easy games so the players who have been in strong form so far will need to be so at the London Stadium on Saturday (30 September).
Nobody has started the campaign better than Bowen, although James Ward-Prowse surely runs him close, and after the former Hull City man admitted he made the “mistake” of focusing too much on trying to make the England squad it looks like he isn’t suffering from the same this term.
If he keeps up his current performances levels for the majority of the season he can count himself very unlucky if Gareth Southgate doesn’t include him in the Euro squad next summer.
Ward-Prowse is another who should be in with a shout based on his output so far, but since neither were called up earlier this month that will be easier said than done.
All that either can do is concentrate on producing for West Ham and hope for the best, starting with a win at the weekend.
In other West Ham news, the club are lining up a move for a sought-after attacking “sensation” who looks set for the Premier League.