BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson has delivered his prediction for West Ham United’s Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday.
The Hammers will welcome Sean Dyche’s team to the London Stadium, and West Ham’s supporters will be happy if Lawrenson’s prediction of a 2-0 home win proves correct.
“This game last season was memorable for West Ham for all the wrong reasons – they lost 3-0 and there were a series of pitch invasions during the second half,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website. “There is a different mood at the London Stadium now, so let’s hope we don’t see any repeat of that kind of unrest.
“West Ham are a better team than they were last season too but, at the moment, you would not say the same about Burnley. Rather than chasing sixth or seventh place like last season, I think Burnley would be happy if they finished sixth or seventh from bottom this time.”
OPINION
Burnley do look as if they have taken somewhat of a step back this season. Their struggles were explained away earlier in the season due to their frantic Europa League qualifying campaign, but since they dropped out of that competition it’s not as if results have markedly improved. West Ham have lost three of their last four in all competitions and their last victory, against Manchester United, feels a very long time ago now. It’s imperative that Manuel Pellegrini’s side win this game to get back on the right track. You’d have to favour them playing at home against an underwhelming Burnley side. The Hammers have some quality players in their team, such as Marko Arnautovic and Felipe Anderson, and they’ll be confident of breaking down Dyche’s men. The Clarets won’t make it easy for them, but West Ham should come out on top in what could be a turgid affair.