---
title: "Pundit backs ‘very powerful’ West Ham side to overcome EPL rivals"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/01/16/pundit-backs-very-powerful-west-ham-side-to-overcome-epl-rivals/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-01-16T07:30:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-16T07:30:00Z"
---

# Pundit backs ‘very powerful’ West Ham side to overcome EPL rivals

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/01/15/virals-west-ham-closely-monitoring-rc-strasbourg-striker-ludovic-ajorque/) will be hoping to make it five consecutive victories in all competitions when [Leeds United](https://www.givemesport.com/1820875-man-united-liverpool-leeds-utd-english-clubs-away-support-ranked-from-elite-to-sht) arrive at the London Stadium in the Premier League.

Having suffered a [dip in form](https://www.whufc.com/fixtures/first-team/fixtures-and-results?field_competition=All&field_competition_season=6535&page=1) prior to Christmas, the Hammers are on the up once more and three points in East London will further cement a top-four spot.

David Moyes’ men were buoyed by the return of Aaron Cresswell against Norwich City last time out when an in-form [Jarrod Bowen](https://readwestham.com/2022/01/13/pundits-and-west-ham-fans-alike-salute-excellent-jarrod-bowen-form/) struck twice.

Former Liverpool ace turned pundit Mark Lawrenson has tipped the Irons for success when delivering his weekly prediction for [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59965782).

> West Ham have picked up again after their little slump in results and have now won four games in a row in all competitions. That run included their win over Leeds in the FA Cup last weekend and I am going to go for the same outcome this time. The Hammers are very powerful and such a difficult side to play against now with the pace they have in attack. I don’t see Leeds in any danger of the drop, but I also can’t see them keeping West Ham out.

The 64-year-old backed the hosts for a 2-0 victory.

This will be the [third time](https://www.11v11.com/teams/west-ham-united/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Leeds%20United/) the two sides have met this season, with West Ham coming out on top in both the league and the FA Cup previously.

Leeds have been injury-hit for a number of weeks and look [set to be without](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-west-ham-team-news-22763975) key players again such as Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper and Patrick Bamford.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Whilst it’s [somewhat of a surprise](https://fanbanter.co.uk/mark-lawrensons-premier-league-predictions/) to see Lawrenson tip the Hammers to win, this is a no-brainer amongst most tipsters.

Back in-form and facing a Leeds side [struggling](https://www.goal.com/en/news/bielsa-blame-leeds-struggles-only-manager-turn-around/blta2921fb4ce177273) to get going, there can be no doubting that this is a golden opportunity for Moyes’ charges to capitalise.

With the meeting between London rivals, Tottenham and Arsenal postponed as well as Manchester United already [dropping points](https://www.skysports.com/football/a-villa-vs-man-utd/report/446498), West Ham could make a huge statement here.