Alan Shearer predicts Bournemouth scoreline after ‘huge’ West Ham development
Alan Shearer predicts West Ham United will lose against Bournemouth on Monday despite the “huge” win against Wolves earlier this week.
The Hammers will travel to Bournemouth in the Premier League [16 December] with Julen Lopetegui still not out of the woods in East London, despite his side’s 2-1 win against Wolves in the “El Sackico”.
However, Shearer believes the match at the Vitality Stadium will be a step too far for West Ham in his Premier League predictions for The Metro [14 December].
He said: “I was at Bournemouth the other week watching them beat Spurs and they were really strong, they should have won by four or five. So I’m going to say that this game will be a Bournemouth win.
“West Ham had a huge win against Wolves and will be looking to go back-to-back, but I don’t see them doing it on this occasion. Prediction: Bournemouth win.”
Julen Lopetegui begins make-or-break period at West Ham United
On far too many occasions already in his short tenure, Lopetegui is believed to have faced a make-or-break clash, but despite contradicting results, he has remained at the helm.
This time, however, feels different; although the Spaniard put the final nail in the coffin to Erik ten Hag’s reign at Manchester United, he came face-to-face with a man in similar turmoil on Monday (9 December) and just about came out on the other side.
West Ham will line up against Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton before a clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool rounds off the action in 2024.
Lopetegui likely cannot lose another fixture before the Reds travel to the capital to secure his position in East London [Sky Sports].
He will be boosted by Niclas Fullkrug emerging into starting contention for the trip to the South Coast, but returning to the London Stadium with all three points will be no easy feat.
Bournemouth have already beaten Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham at home this season and have won their last three Premier League outings.
The home stretch for Lopetegui could be over before it has begun; lose against Bournemouth, and the match against Brighton becomes that much harder if indeed he is still in charge. It’s now or never for the Spaniard.
In other West Ham news, Konstantinos Mavropanos will be sweating over his Irons future as a new transfer update emerges.
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