Chris Sutton predicts outcome of West Ham United relegation showdown v Southampton in Premier League
Chris Sutton has predicted that West Ham United and Southampton will share the spoils in their Premier League relegation showdown at the London Stadium on Sunday (2 April).
The Hammers return to action after the international break sitting 18th in the Premier League but only a win away from climbing as high as 12th position.
Writing for BBC Sport, Sutton admitted that the 1-1 draw he predicted for the crunch clash might not be enough for manager David Moyes to keep his job, with the pressure mounting on his position in the London Stadium dugout.
“West Ham are in trouble and really need to win this game but I keep thinking things will click for them and it hasn’t happened so far,” he wrote.
“The atmosphere is going to be so nervy and that will suit Southampton who, along with Leicester, are one of only two top-flight teams to have picked up more points away than they have done at home this season.
“That away form will give Saints some belief and, with James Ward-Prowse in their side, they have such a weapon from free-kicks. They are bottom so they are under pressure but the real pressure on Sunday will be on the Hammers.
“This time it is going to be just as close and even a draw might not be enough to save Moyes. He definitely needs the big calls to go his way this time, otherwise he could end up on the wrong end of a karate move – and get the chop.”
Huge
Although pundits and large portions of the media keep reiterating that West Ham United have too much quality to go down this season, Moyes’ side are slowly slipping into a quagmire of their own making.
The Hammers have two games in hand on the majority of their relegation rivals but still have to face the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool in a tough-looking run-in.
Matches such as this crunch clash against Southampton could be one of few opportunities for the Hammers to gain some momentum in their fight against relegation, and you can’t help but feel that they might finally click into gear, especially considering Moyes has a fully-fit squad to pick from right now.
Sutton’s prediction that Moyes will get the sack with any result apart from a win seems a little premature, with the board having backed the Scotsman to the hilt so far this campaign.
With a European Conference League quarter-final against Gent awaiting on the horizon as well, it would seem a strange time to part companies with the highly-experienced manager.
A win against Southampton can change the morale within the London Stadium and potentially have a huge bearing on the club’s fight for survival.