Paul Merson makes ‘massive’ Chelsea v West Ham prediction
Paul Merson has predicted the outcome of Saturday’s [April 23] Premier League clash between West Ham and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Hammers sit four points adrift from the lucrative top four places having played one more game than Tottenham and Arsenal who sit above them.
With the Irons very much focussed on the Europa League ahead of their semi-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt next Thursday [April 28], the Sky Sports pundit believes David Moyes will play a weaker team resulting in a 2-0 Chelsea win.
He told Sportskeeda: “West Ham have a massive football match on Thursday night – probably their biggest game in the past several years. They have a great opportunity to make history here and aren’t getting into the Premier League top four anyway.
“Chelsea will be in trouble if they don’t sell the club soon. If no one puts money into the club, they won’t be able to buy new players next season. Chelsea’s going to have a very hard time next season if a deal isn’t done quickly.
“West Ham are not going to play their strongest team this weekend and that could play right into Chelsea’s hands. Chelsea have a good squad at their disposal and should be able to win this game.”
Who cares?
West Ham could lose every league game from now until the end of the season and not one single fan would care as long as they go on to win the Europa League.
All season long the Hammers have pushed for the top four without knowing they would have a much better route by the end of the season.
They would have been happy to do so though. It shows Moyes and the Irons chiefs how close they are to the Premier League’s elite but more importantly how far away they are and where they can improve.
The several flaws that have been made glaringly obvious over the course of the season should be addressed over the summer for the team to come back and relive this brilliant season all over again.
Until then though, all attention needs to be on Frankfurt and winning the Europa League.
Not only would that secure Champions League football but it would end the embarrassingly long wait for a trophy and give the fans something to cheer about.
The only thing that is at stake on Saturday is the Irons’ London derby pride but if they win a European trophy at the expense of that – it will be worth it.
In other West Ham news, View: The Hammers need to sign Nick Pope with a cheaper price for the keeper being reported.
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