Mark Lawrenson predicts that West Ham will suffer an upset and be knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Birmingham City.
The Hammers host their Championship counterparts on Saturday, with the visiting Blues sitting 18 point beneath them in the football league pyramid.
The ex-Liverpool man believes that the transformative job Garry Monk has done at St. Andrew’s will be enough to see the Midlands’ club through, especially if Manuel Pellegrini fields a weakened side.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “Some of these ties will be close and I can see Birmingham causing a shock against West Ham.
“Garry Monk has done an excellent job at Birmingham and if West Ham put out a weakened team then I would back the Blues.”
Lawrenson believes the Irons will lose 2-1.
OPINION
Lawrenson’s prediction is outlandish to say the least, but if West Ham field a weakened side, he might well be onto something. The Hammers have hit another slump in recent weeks after a fantastic run of form, and the Blues are flying in the Championship. Confidence at the London Stadium may have just been shaken by that sudden dip, and this does look like one of the ties of the round that could cause a bit of a shock. That being said, the Irons will feel that a good cup run is a definite possibility this season, and if they can get past the Blues the competition could open up for them. Pellegrini might rest some key men, but he’s not going to be fielding a weak 11, and West Ham will still fancy their chances of getting through the third round unscathed. Dark horses they may be, but the Hammers could make it to Wembley this season.