West Ham have fought back in the Premier League during recent weeks, with three games undefeated to bolster their survival hopes.
The Hammers sit seven points clear of the relegation zone heading into this weekend’s fixtures, where Slaven Bilic’s side face an extremely tough test away at Stoke.
Whilst the Potters have struggled for form recently, the Staffordshire outfit are always difficult to beat on home soil and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson expects Mark Hughes’ side to take all three points.
“I’m not sure what has happened to Stoke, who have lost five of their past six matches, but I am sure their manager Mark Hughes will turn it around.”
“The Potters did not manage their first league win until mid-October and have had quite an up and down season, but I actually think they will finish the campaign strongly.”
“Five points from their past three matches have taken West Ham clear of the relegation dog-fight, but I still don’t see them going to Stoke and winning.”
Fortunately for the Hammers, Lawrenson is also backing Manchester United to defeat Swansea City, which would ensure that West Ham’s seven-point cushion remains intact.
