Paul Merson predicts result of West Ham United clash v Everton in new Julen Lopetegui verdict
West Ham United and Julen Lopetegui will head into the international break with a win over Everton, according to Paul Merson.
The Hammers welcome Sean Dyche’s side to the London Stadium on Saturday (9 November) as they look to bounce back from their 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Nottingham Forest last time out.
Although Sky Sports pundit Merson believes Lopetegui is already “under pressure” in East London, he expects the Irons to get back to winning ways and claim all three points with a 2-0 win on Saturday.
Writing for Sportskeeda on Thursday (7 November) he said: “Everton were going along nicely and then they got beat by Southampton.
“They aren’t in trouble at the moment, but it’s a lot of unnecessary drama. If Everton won, they could’ve gone to 12 points. Instead, they are now just four points away from the drop zone and I don’t expect them to beat West Ham either.
“Julen Lopetegui is under pressure to deliver at West Ham. The problem with them is the inconsistency. They’re one of them teams who could win a couple of games and then go lose a few on the trot. And when they get beat, they get capitulated, like they did last weekend against Nottingham Forest!
“I always go back to this with West Ham, be careful what you wish for. David Moyes is a good manager and they won a European trophy under him. Don’t forget that this was a West Ham that did nothing for many years.
“Sometimes people can get caught up in the total football philosophy and overlook the fact that it’s always about winning games.
“I still doubt Lopetegui knows his best XI. However, I expect West Ham to win here. Everton could now be dragged back into the relegation battle.”
What has happened to West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui at the London Stadium?
It probably isn’t an overreaction to suggest that this is the biggest game of both West Ham’s season so far and Lopetegui’s tenure in East London.
Lose and not only could the Spaniard lose his job, but his side will also be well and truly dragged into the relegation battle at the foot of the Premier League table. Win and the Irons will put a big gap between them and the drop zone.
These are the sort of games that can define a season and while most expect the Hammers to climb away from the bottom three over the coming months, they cannot afford to have too many more major slip-ups.
Hopefully, even with some key stars suspended and Niclas Fullkrug still stuck on the treatment table, the Hammers will be able to match Merson’s prediction and claim all three points in front of their home supporters.
Whether anything else would be enough for Lopetegui to keep his job remains unclear.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have pinpointed a Premier League forward as their new primary striker target
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