Football pundits Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson have both revealed that they think that West Ham will beat Huddersfield during the Premier League encounter between the two sides on Monday.
The Hammers have started the new season in poor form after losing all three of their opening League fixtures and conceding ten goals in the process.
The Terriers meanwhile, can be pleased with how they have performed thus far in their debut season in the top flight. They have gained seven points from their opening three games and have surpassed the expectations that many people had of them.
Should the Hammers lose, it will be difficult to see their manager Slaven Bilic keeping his job for long.
Despite West Ham’s poor form though, Merson said that he sees the Hammers coming away with three points, but at the same tim,e does not rule out the possibility of Huddersfield winning.
He said, “Slaven Bilic needs a win. It’s West Ham’s first home game of the season and the fans will be turning up expecting the team to put on a show and beat Huddersfield. I wouldn’t want to be a West Ham player in the first 20 minutes of this match. If they don’t score early doors it could be messy because the frustration will build in the stands.
“You wouldn’t put a penny on West Ham but if they get an early goal it could well turn into an easy night for them. However, if and Huddersfield keep things tight, the more the game goes on the more difficult it becomes for Bilic’s men.
“My heart is going with the Londoners, who have been there before and have home advantage. But they are not playing well and they are up against an in-form side in Huddersfield. I’m just going to go for West Ham but again, I would not be surprised one bit if Huddersfield picked up all three points.”
Lawrenson meanwhile predicts a largely improved performance from Bilic’s men. He said, “Huddersfield have made a super start to the season, in total contrast to West Ham, who have really struggled,” the 60-year-old told BBC Sport.
“Terriers fans will be confident they can keep that good start going, but I don’t see it being as easy as that. This is West Ham’s first home game of the season, and I am expecting a big improvement from them.”
