After what can only be described as a fantastic February, which saw West Ham take a total of twelve points from a possible twelve, most fans find themselves looking up the Premier League table instead of down it.
With just eleven games to go until the end of the season, we are within touching distance of the magical forty point mark. This may or may not be enough to avoid relegation but it’s what we have to aim for.
With a current tally of thirty one points, we could, theoretically, be home and dry with just three more wins. So at this stage of the season, it’s time for a closer look at our remaining games…
Everton (A)
Confidence is the highest it has been all season due to our fantastic recent run and big Andy Carroll is back to add more firepower up front. I’m confident we can score at Everton but the question is can we score more than Everton, who have struggled to find the net with any regularity the moment? Lacina Traore won’t be playing, and neither will Phil Jagielka so there will a chance for an upset, but I’ll take a point up there any time.
Verdict: Draw
Stoke City (A)
Stoke are a strange team. One week they play like they’ve never seen a football before and then the following week they go and play like Brazil. If we don’t give away needless free kicks around the edge of our box, because Charlie Adams’ free kicks are the same as giving Stoke a penalty, I think we can get one over an average Stoke side.
Verdict: Win
Manchester United (H)
These games are always entertaining for the neutral, but are underwear changers for West Ham fans. Nine times out of ten, we’ll score first, then come under massive pressure in the last ten minutes and United will snatch a draw from the jaws of victory. RVP is back too and it’s practically compulsory for him to score against us.
Verdict: Draw
Hull City (H)
Hull are another team who occasionally play above their status but I think we won’t have anything to worry about. Our defence has conceded the least goals in the Premier league and Hull’s strikers are not exactly prolific.
Verdict: Win
Sunderland (A)
Sunderland are a very average side and been beaten this season by just about everybody, but by this stage of the season, they will be fighting for their Premier league lives, and it’s always difficult to play a team when they’re down and the season is nearly over. I expect Sunderland to take all three points on this one.
Verdict: Loss
Liverpool (H)
Liverpool are a side that love to score and love to score against West Ham. As much as I dislike Suarez as a person, there is absolutely no doubt he is one of the top strikers in the world today. Not only is it Suarez and Sturridge that are getting the team goals, the midfield are chipping in with their fare share of goals too. Our record against Liverpool is terrible and I think the wait for another win over the Red half of Liverpool will have to wait for another season.
Verdict: Loss
Arsenal (A)
We were the last away team to win at the old Highbury and the first away team to win at the Emirates stadium, which is a good record to have, but I think this game will have only one outcome. Arsenal will be on their final push for title glory and will be extra careful not to let anything upset their title challenge.
Verdict: Loss
Crystal Palace (H)
This game could be a typical six pointer. Crystal Palace could well be scrapping for their Premier league lives, as well could we, but as this game is at Upton Park, I expect all three points to go to us.
Verdict: Win
West Bromwich Albion (A)
West Brom are team in turmoil at the moment with a new, non English speaking manager in charge, as well as the expected suspension of Anelka for his anti semitic gesture after his goal against us at Upton Park. A lot will depend on how quick the team take to their new manager. I think it will be difficult to separate the two teams on this occasion.
Verdict: Draw
Tottenham Hotspur (H)
This is the game a lot of fans immediately look for when the calendar is first announced. I expect this game to be a firey tempestuous affair with a few bookings and maybe a sending off or two. The team always raise their game against Spurs regardless of our league position and current form. We’ve beaten them twice this year already and I fully expect us to make it three.
Verdict: Win
Manchester City (A)
Hopefully by the final game of the season, our Premier league survival would of already been secured and the team could play free from any pressure. This definitely is not a game any teams needs on the final day of the season if they need to win to stay up. Man City could well be playing for another title win as this season is a lot closer than previous seasons. Either way I expect us to lose but hopefully it won’t matter.
Verdict: Loss
So according to my (not so) expert opinion, we will secure an extra fifteen points this season, leaving us on forty six points, sitting comfortably in mid table again. We can but hope…
