A few weeks ago I wrote a blog with the words “don’t panic yet”… Well, Christ. Now we can! This weekend’s game against Swansea is, without a doubt, the biggest game of our season. Both sides are struggling to find points and with only five points between the two and seven games left. This is, by all means, a six pointer. The Olympic stadium will need to be loud; despite holding its breath, to get the boys across the line.
The Opponents:
The Swans have been huffing and puffing trying to keep their head above water but, are still languishing in seventeenth, two points from safety. Despite some recent performances turning heads, they have had little to show for it. It’s worth noting that Swansea is one of only two sides to concede more than the Hammers.
Form:
Surely it cannot go on. West Ham have lost five in a row and seem to be sleep walking towards the Championship. If you are struggling to recall our last point, it was in February, several games ago against Watford. Since then we’ve conceded 13 goals in just five games and look completely out of ideas. Just the form you want going into a big game…
Swansea’s form is not much better, the Swans are now without a win in four. Paul Clement has experienced some mixed form since his appointment in January. They beat Liverpool and then Clement won manager of the month in his first at the club. Since then it has been up and down but ultimately left them occupying the final relegation spot. Heat break after a late collapse against Spurs midweek will be pushing them to get a result this weekend.
The Teams:
Llorente could still be missing for the Swans and that could be massive. Jordan Ayew should take his place, pitching brother against brother in this relegation showdown. Clement will look to exploit the lack of pace between Jose Fonte and James Collins shown in the last two fixtures. They will retain key players such as Routledge and Sigurdsson for the tie that will also look to cause the Hammers problems with their crosses and deliveries from deep.
The Hammers should be able to field the same squad that faced Arsenal after Michail Antonio is reported to be feeling better after a sickness bug, forcing him off at the Emirates. Slaven Bilic will also have the luxury of having both Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho at his disposal, a rare striking decision to make for Slav who should start with Carroll after some solid performances up top.
I hope that a strong attacking three consisting of Manuel Lanzini, Andre Ayew, and Antonio will play behind Carroll. Between those three, we should have more than enough to score goals against a poor Swans defence. Mark Noble is certain to play alongside Kouyate in the midfield. Our captain is needed more than ever and will be desperate to keep the three points in East London.
The back four will worry me the most. Bilic has very little option but to start Sam Byram, Collins, and Fonte. Cresswell and Masuaku will fight for the remaining spot at left back but I’d go with Masuaku who’s shown some good-ish form recently.
This week is the first in a while that Randolph’s position as number one has been questioned. Personally, I like to think that Randolph is less prone to moments of madness that we can’t afford in a game of this magnitude, and should retain his place for at least one more game.
West Ham United:
GK) Randolph
RB) Byram
CB) Collins
CB) Fonte
LB) Masuaku
LM) Lanzini
CM) Noble (C)
CM) Kouyate
RM) Antonio
CAM) Ayew
CF) Carroll
Swansea City:
GK) Fabianski
RB) Naughton
CB) Fernandez
CB) Mawson
LB) Olsson
CM) Fer
CM) Cork (C)
CM) Carroll
LW) Routledge
RW) Sigurdsson
CF) Ayew
Odds:
West Ham 21/20 Draw 5/2 Swansea 12/5
– Via Sky Bet
My Prediction:
I cannot bare to predict this fixture. A loss will surely put us into free fall but a win will certainly make things look a lot more comfortable. This game is bound to have goals in it with two of the worst defences in the league going head-to-head. I have to predict a Hammers win but I’m not too optimistic…
West Ham United 3 – 2 Swansea City