Chris Sutton predicts West Ham United clash v Leeds United in Premier League
Chris Sutton believes West Ham United and David Moyes’s woes will continue when they take on Leeds United in the Premier League on Wednesday night (4 January).
The Hammers fell to a demoralising 2-0 defeat to Brentford last time out, making it five defeats in a row and 11 losses from just 17 games this season.
A loss at Elland Road could well prove terminal for Moyes, who, according to reports, could be set to face the axe before the club’s FA Cup clash against the Bees on January 7.
According to pundit Sutton, who made his weekly predictions for the BBC Sport website, West Ham will fail to pick up any points in West Yorkshire and lose the encounter 2-1.
He said: “Leeds gave Newcastle a decent game last time out and defended well to get a draw. Ordinarily, I would say the way they play suits West Ham, but, whatever is wrong with the Hammers, I don’t see it improving here.
“David Moyes’ side have lost their past five Premier League games while only scoring twice and that lack of goals is probably their biggest problem.
“So, I am writing West Ham off here – although I’ve been wrong about them so often this season, that is probably good news for their fans.”
Six-pointer
Whatever is wrong with West Ham United right now, they must get it out of their system before this possibly season-defining game commences on Wednesday.
Following their defeat to the Bees, the club are at a crisis point, and a win here would help Moyes live to fight another day. The Scot just needs to take it one game at a time and hope his team can deliver the goods against an equally under-performing Leeds side.
As Sutton pointed out, the most worrying part of the Hammers’ dropoff this season has been the lack of chances created and goals scored.
Against Brentford, Gianluca Scamacca was isolated for large portions of the game, and the switch to a back five with wing-backs still failed to give the Italian the service he requires. The subsequent shift in formation meant Lucas Paqueta had to drop into a midfield two with Declan Rice, and his creativity was stifled as a result.
Moyes must ensure that Paqueta is played in a position that allows him to unlock defences in the final third, and sitting in a disciplined midfield role is not the answer.