Paul Merson predicts West Ham United clash v Everton in next Premier League fixture
Paul Merson believes that West Ham United will be held to a 1-1 draw by Everton in their next Premier League fixture at Goodison Park.
The Hammers are heading into the match off the back of a disappointing and probably undeserved defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Everton are looking to build on their impressive point at home to Liverpool and Merson feels this game that is hard to predict.
Writing in his Sportkeeda game week predictions column (15 September), he said: “Anthony Gordon was wanted by Chelsea this summer, but that was under Thomas Tuchel and Everton rejected massive amounts of money from the Blues to keep him at the club.
“I think he’ll stay at the club this season – I refuse to believe they kept him this summer only to sell him midway through the season!
“West Ham haven’t had the best start to the season and have been really hard to predict, so I think this game will end all square. Everton 1-1 West Ham United.”
Must win
It’s time for the Hammers to really get their Premier League campaign underway after an extremely disappointing and disjointed start to the season.
David Moyes has a number of new signings to bed into his squad, and he would’ve enjoyed having a little bit of time to really get to work with his players on the training ground.
Everton will be a tough nut to crack for West Ham, with Frank Lampard’s side seemingly well-organised and hard to break down this season.
The Irons will need their creative players to really take this game by the scruff of the neck and ensure that they cause the Toffees’ defence plenty of problems.
West Ham may need to show more craft and guile at Goodison Park, instead of looking for Gianluca Scamacca or Michail Antonio at every opportunity.
James Tarkowski and Conor Coady are physical and experienced Premier League defenders who know how to deal with a ball into the box from wide areas.
It’s time for Lucas Paqueta to really stand up and show that he can be the player to break down a stubborn defence for the Hammers.
However, before their clash with Everton, West Ham travel to face Silkeborg IF in the UEFA Conference League, with Ben Johnson and Nayef Aguerd the major absentees from the squad.