Chris Sutton predicts outcome of West Ham United clash v Brentford in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has predicted that West Ham United will fall to a 2-0 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday (14 May).
The Hammers all but sealed their Premier League safety with a well-earned 1-0 win against Manchester United last weekend (7 May), sitting seven points above the relegation zone with just three games of the season remaining.
Writing in his weekly column for BBC Sport, Sutton admitted the difficulties David Moyes would face in keeping his side fresh following their mid-week encounter against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League.
He wrote: “Unless everything goes against them, I think West Ham already have enough points to stay up – their superior goal difference means Leeds need to win all three of their remaining games to overhaul them, while Leicester need seven points from a possible nine.
“But the Hammers aren’t quite safe yet, which means they have still got to find a balance over the next few days about who to play in their Premier League games and Europa Conference League semi-final against AZ Alkmaar.
“Bearing that in mind, this looks like an extremely tricky game for them.
“Brentford beat them at London Stadium this season and we know how well-organised the Bees will be.”
Secure safety
Although it would take quite some effort for any of the clubs beneath West Ham United to overhaul them in the final three games of the season, it would be a weight off everybody’s shoulders if they were to seal their safety with a win this weekend.
Brentford are in strong form lately, claiming seven points from their last four Premier League outings and looking close to sealing a well-deserved top-ten finish this season.
The Hammers may also be a little weary from their Europa Conference League exploits in midweek, and Moyes will face a tough balancing act with his starting lineup.
After fielding a full-strength team against AZ Alkmaar, Moyes might be tempted to mix things up with his personnel, with the likes of Danny Ings, Flynn Downes and Pablo Fornals all likely to come into the starting lineup.
Brentford are a fearsome outfit when playing at the Gtech this season, and West Ham could be their next victims if they’re not careful.