West Ham vs Swansea – Premier League Match Preview

Dan Tracey September 30, 2017 Leave a comment 1,873 Views

It is fair to say the pressure is mounting on West Ham boss Slaven Bilic after his side’s start to this Premier League campaign. The opening six matches have warranted just four points and with Carlo Ancelotti available to be hired and looking for a return to England a win today could not be more welcomed.

Today they play host to a Swansea side who currently find themselves 15th in the table and desperately short of goals even at this early stage of the season. They have only found the net on three separate occasions, while averaging just 0.5 goals scored per game.

West Ham’s either score two goals or not at all such is there pattern of finding the net this season. Unfortunately twice they have had to settle for a two goal haul and still come away empty handed, this was evident in their defeat to Tottenham last weekend in front of their own fans.

It was a strange game as in all fairness Tottenham were only on top for 25 minutes or so but more importantly took their chances when they presented themselves. Not only that but West Ham were in control before the game’s opening goal which was laid on a plate for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

It is fair to say that they were masters of their downfall last weekend and although they finished the game strongly by clawing back the deficit from 3-0 to 3-2 they left themselves to much do and could break down the resolve of a Spurs side that finished the game with 10 men after Serge Aurier’s sending off.

Defeat for them sees them sit in the bottom three but a win today would see them leapfrog a Swansea side that has not won since the third weekend of the season when they had a good day out in the capital after beating the hapless Crystal Palace 2-0.

Four of their five points have been earned in London but they are still looking for their first points at the Liberty Stadium. They almost thought they had their first in the bank last weekend only for Richarlison of Watford to fire home a late winner to silence the home fans.

It was a goal that was all Swansea’s doing and they only have themselves to blame for throwing a point after Tammy Abraham’s equaliser. Roque Mesa’s pass was short in midfield and by the time Richarlison had gained possesion he floated past a poorly committed Alfie Mawson before rifling past Lukasz Fabianski.

It was a bitter pill for Paul Clement to swallow and once again it was poor defending at home which was ultimately their undoing. It was exactly the same in their last home outing when they played host to Newcastle. Jamaal Lascelles had the freedom of the six yard box as he headed home unchallenged to give Rafa Benitez’s men all three points.

Will they get any joy on the road today though. West Ham will be spirited by their efforts late on last week but that in itself is not enough. They have more of a goal threat than Swansea and as shaky as the Hammers backline is I don’t think Swansea will be able to take advantage of it. I reckon this one is a home win.

Here is what social media thinks will happen – you can still vote on the outcome here