West Ham must be careful with four games left in the Premier League season to not fall away from European football. Currently in sixth place, the Hammers are only two points above Southampton in eighth.
A win at The Hawthorns Saturday would be just the ticket for Slaven Bilic and his side. A 3-1 victory over Watford last time out kept pace with Manchester United, three points above the Hammers in fifth.
“The top six is the one we’re looking for now. It will be hard, as we have four tough games – and Liverpool and Southampton are playing well and picking up points – but we’re on a good run and we’re fully motivated,” Bilic told West Ham’s official site. “If we continue to play how we have been, we have a good chance.”
West Ham have drawn four of the last five Premier League matches, but are undefeated in nine league games. During that stretch, Andy Carroll has six goals in the past five Premier League matches, and is expected to start up top for West Ham.
Despite West Brom being guaranteed a mid-table finish in the Premier League, it will not be a pushover match for the Hammers. As seen last week against Tottenham, West Brom played incredibly well to earn a draw and likely dashed the Spurs’ title hopes.
“Teams are playing for pride, fans and themselves,” Bilic said. “West Brom with Tony Pulis and the English mentality; we’re expecting them to play at their maximum. They are safe. West Brom it looks like they’ve never been in trouble. That shows they have a good team and a great manager.”
West Ham have been in fine form in front of goal, scoring 12 goals in their last five Premier League matches. West Brom have only tucked away two goals in the same timeframe. Likewise, Dimitri Payet has created 102 chances this season for the Hammers – 75 more than West Brom’s leading player, Darren Fletcher.
It is a match West Ham should take control of, despite West Brom unlikely to go down without a fight. The Hammers have a fully fit squad ahead of the match, yet the Baggies could be without midfielder James Morrison as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Also, Saido Berahino and Ben Foster will be reassessed before game time for West Brom.
Prediction:
West Ham 2-1 West Brom
West Ham will make up ground on Manchester United with a 2-1 victory at The Hawthorns. Manchester United will face Leicester City on Sunday, and the Foxes are just one win away from the Premier League title.
This makes for the perfect time for West Ham to jump into fifth place, or even just put space between the Hammers and Liverpool and Southampton. Sixth place will secure Europa League for West Ham, but the with teams breathing down their neck, sixth place requires no margin of error. Despite a strong West Brom side, the Hammers have more to play for, and Bilic will secure three points.
