Michael Owen has predicted West Ham to overcome Brighton on Wednesday despite being unimpressed by them during their 2-0 loss to Burnley on Sunday.
The BT Sport pundit predicted the Hammers to get the win but summed up their latest performance against the Clarets by labelling it as poor.
Owen shared that due to Brighton’s poor record in London he wasn’t backing them to get anything from their mid-week visit to the London Stadium.
“Brighton have won all three Premier League games played between the clubs, but I expect to see the hosts bounce back from a poor performance and result at Turf Moor on Sunday,” wrote Owen for BetVictor.
“The Seagulls have lost seven of their last eight games played in the capital and I don’t expect them to get anything at the London Stadium, although the Hammers have conceded at least once in their last seven home PL games.”
OPINION
Owen clearly believes Brighton’s record in England’s capital won’t change and expects Manuel Pellegrini’s side to take full advance. The pundit does point out that the Hammers have a tendency to leak goals when playing at the London Stadium, but backing them for the win he clearly thinks their firepower will be too much for the Seagulls. It would be great for the Hammers if they could instantly get back to winning ways on Wednesday as you feel they let themselves down against Burnley. Sean Dyche’s side have been struggling also this season yet they cruised to a comfortable victory over the Hammers with none of Pellegrini’s team really excelling in that outing. Whether the festive fixture had caught up with them is arguable, but every Premier League team has to deal with the same hectic schedule so it’s not really a valid excuse. Also it’s worth noting that Chris Hughton’s side did defeat the Hammers early this season, with Pellegrini’s side under-performing on that occasion as well, so they do have a point to prove on Wednesday.