Paul Merson predicts Chelsea v West Ham United, shares Mauricio Pochettino sack verdict
Paul Merson has predicted that West Ham United will lose 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on 5 May and that Mauricio Pochettino will keep his job as Chelsea manager if the Blues end the season strongly.
The Hammers have just three games remaining of the 2023/24 campaign and travel to face Chelsea off the back of a 2-2 draw at home against Liverpool.
However, West Ham’s European qualification hopes are fading and Merson feels the Blues will be the more motivated of the two sides – particularly as Pochettino looks to secure his position as head coach after a disappointing season.
Speaking to Sportskeeda (2 May), Merson said: “West Ham played well against Liverpool, but the Reds missed chance after chance and were made to pay. The Hammers are going nowhere in the league [though] and will want their season to finish as soon as possible. They don’t have much to play for, so I can see Chelsea getting a result here.
“Mauricio Pochettino inherited a young team when he took the Chelsea job and he’s got exactly what I expected from his players – brilliance and inconsistency in equal measure. If they finish the season strongly, I don’t think his position will come under question.
“Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 West Ham.”
Can West Ham United get a result at Chelsea?
West Ham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool at the London Stadium was certainly a creditable result against a title-challenging side – but it is no stretch to say that the Hammers are in something of a slump.
David Moyes’ men have claimed just two wins in their last 12 games across all competitions – a 5-0 victory over Freiburg and a 2-1 win at Wolves – suffering five defeats and recording five draws in that time.
In fact, that poor run stretches to just four wins in 22 matches in all competitions this calendar year.
With Moyes looking likely to wave West Ham goodbye at the end of the season, the Scotsman will be keen to end his successful second spell with the Hammers on a high.
And despite Chelsea’s 2-0 London derby victory over Tottenham, the Blues’ form has been patchy, to say the least. High-scoring victories over Manchester United and Everton have been offset by disappointing draws against relegation strugglers Sheffield United and Burnley, as well as a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
It is certainly not beyond the realms of possibility that West Ham defy Merson’s prediction and condemn their London rivals to another disappointing result.
In other West Ham news, the club have been labelled “embarrassing” for their treatment of Moyes.
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