Paul Merson predicts scoreline of West Ham vs Brentford
West Ham host Brentford on Sunday and will be aiming to continue their impressive Premier League run after last weekend’s 2-1 win at Leeds.
The Bees have been a tricky team to beat since they gained promotion, though, holding Liverpool to a 3-3 draw last time out after impressive wins over Wolves and Arsenal.
Brentford have lost just once, drawing thrice, and they have a brilliant squad capable of causing the Hammers some problems at the London Stadium.
Paul Merson sees David Moyes’ side narrowly edging this one out, though, predicting a 2-1 win for them.
He wrote in his Sportskeeda column: “Brentford are my Achilles heel. I’m always a million miles off when it comes to predicting their Premier League games.
“Ivan Toney has already shown his class in the Premier League and Brentford are a good side, but I fancy West Ham to win this one because they are a better team than what they get credit for.
“Michail Antonio is such a good player and if you look at West Ham’s results, they have actually made a solid start to the Premier League season if you overlook the penalty miss against Manchester United.
“They have carried on from where they left off last season and are an underrated side, in my opinion.”
Tricky clash
Brentford blew teams away in the Championship over the last two seasons before finally earning promotion, and Thomas Frank is a top manager.
They are a well-drilled team capable of going toe to toe with any team in the land as they showed against the Reds, and West Ham need to tread carefully.
They will be keen to win the London derby and further send out a message to everyone, so the Hammers need to be on top of their game.
West Ham are the better side and favourites, but they cannot allow themselves to get carried away against the visitors.
Brentford play an exciting, direct style of football, and it could cause the Hammers some issues.
Toney and his teammates want to prove that they belong in the top-flight, but West Ham should be able to get a win if they can keep him and others quiet.
With Michail Antonio, Declan Rice, Said Benrahma, Jarrod Bowen and the other Irons stars in fine form, the hosts have nothing to worry about.
In other West Ham news, Mark Noble has been spotted after a match embracing magic forward who quit Hammers in summer.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.