Chris Sutton predicts result of West Ham United Premier League clash v Manchester United for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has shared his prediction for Saturday’s Premier League clash between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium (23 December).
West Ham United returned to winning ways in the Premier League against Wolves last weekend after their 5-0 thrashing defeat to Fulham but saw their EFL Cup hopes end in similar fashion against Liverpool on Wednesday night (20 December) in a 5-1 quarter-final loss at Anfield.
The Hammers play host to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United at the London Stadium on Saturday and Sutton sharing his predictions for BBC Sport (20 December) wasn’t particularly pleased by United’s performance against Anfield where they came away with 0-0 draw after they “parked the bus”.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Celtic footballer and pundit predicts the Hammers to come away with a 2-1 win, he said:
“Manchester United parked the bus at Anfield, so will they do that here too? I don’t think so.
“I actually think West Ham will beat them, though. I often go for them to draw games, but I liked the way they went at Wolves.
“In contrast, I wasn’t impressed by Erik ten Hag’s side at all. They may celebrate their draw with Liverpool but United fans should not be carried away with the way they got it – that just sums up how far they have fallen.”
“Prediction: 2-1.”
Scathing
Sutton must not have watched Wednesday’s game between Liverpool and West Ham United in the EFL Cup quarters where David Moyes’ men did the exact same thing but still lost 5-1.
Anfield isn’t a stadium where you can impose your dominance and control anyhow because you will get exposed and run over easily as Moyes once again found out at arguably one of the country’s most intimidating stadiums.
Manchester United actually did well to come away with a 0-0 draw last weekend given their torrid defensive record this season and could well have walked away with all three points had they taken their chances – and they certainly had the best of them at Anfield.
Moyes will be livid at the way his side threw away the EFL Cup opportunity so easily with some lousy and inept defending but he certainly won’t tolerate it again on Saturday which means Manchester United are in for another tough ride in East London.
Moyes rang several changes for the Liverpool game and can’t afford to make the same decision in what will be a crucial battle as West Ham United have the chance to move above their opponents with a win.
United have not been at their best so far this campaign, exerting huge inconsistencies but that does not mean the Hammers must take their foot off the pedal a bit.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has made a prediction over Kudus’ future after what he saw last weekend.