Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
West Ham go into this game looking to end a run of 4 straight draws with a win to try and solidify a Top 6 spot and with that the reward of Europa League Football at their new Olympic Stadium home next season.
That run has all but killed off any hopes of finishing in the Top 4 and while they have been incredibly hard to beat with an unbeaten run of 8 league matches, it seems they’ve failed to beat the toughest opposition of all…..The officials.
Again it was another West Ham game mired in controversy last Sunday when referee John Moss awarded a 95th minute Penalty to Leicester which allowed Leonardo Ulloa to slot home and enabled the league leaders to snatch a share of the points.
That’s the 4th game in a row in which the Referee’s decision has gone against West Ham and you could argue that is has cost them 8 points. 8 points which would have seen them 4th in the league behind Manchester City on Goal Difference with Tonight’s game still to play.
They will need to win Tonight especially if a Liverpool side who seem to be finding their groove and with an extra game in hand still to play do their business in the Merseyside Derby. A win for Liverpool could see them go 6th and leapfrog The Hammers by the end of the night.
Their opponents Watford will be glad their run of 6 games without a win came to an end on Saturday with a win over West Brom, a win that may have come at just the right time what with an F.A. Cup Semi Final around the corner.
That win would have no doubt restored some confidence but you get the feeling their full focus won’t be on Tonight’s encounter at Upton Park due to that aforementioned Semi Final with Crystal Palace at The Weekend.
But at the same time Quique Sanchez Flores will want to keep that positive momentum running all the way to Wembley and the perfect way to do that would be to grab all 3 points this evening. Flores is reportedly under pressure after Watford’s slump in form so although they are a safe from relegation he needs to make sure he keeps his job safe.
That said West Ham haven’t lost in 8 and are due a win soon, I have a feeling that Watford’s focus will be elsewhere and that will allow Slaven Bilic’s side to take full advantage. I’ll go for a Home win and it keeps The Hammers in the hunt for a Europa League spot.
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
