Chris Sutton has offered his prognosis for the upcoming Premier League clash between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium on Saturday (December 23).
Following a triumph over Wolves in the Premier League, West Ham experienced a dismal 5-1 defeat in the EFL Cup quarter-final versus Liverpool on Wednesday. Despite the setback, they are set to face Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, and Sutton, sharing his thoughts on BBC Sport, expressed dissatisfaction with United’s defensive tactics in their recent “park the bus” approach against Liverpool.
The former footballer and pundit anticipates a 2-1 victory for West Ham, stating, “Manchester United parked the bus at Anfield, so will they do that here too? I don’t think so. I actually think West Ham will beat them, though. I often go for them to draw games, but I liked the way they went at Wolves… Prediction: 2-1.”
However, criticism surfaced in response to Sutton’s assessment, particularly regarding West Ham’s recent loss to Liverpool. The scathing response challenged the notion that West Ham could assert dominance at Anfield, referencing their 5-1 defeat and emphasizing the challenging nature of the stadium.
In contrast, the retort lauded Manchester United’s commendable defensive display against Liverpool and suggested that they could have clinched a win with a more clinical touch. It pointed out that the upcoming match poses another stern test for Manchester United in East London and stressed the importance of consistency for the team.
The article also highlighted the potential repercussions for West Ham should they underestimate a Manchester United side known for its sporadic performances, cautioning against complacency and underscoring the significance of maintaining momentum against formidable opponents.
