West Ham’s Premier League survival hopes rest on their final seven fixtures of the season, with the Hammers looking to improve on their current 13th-place position in the table. With recent signs of improved form, including a draw against leaders Arsenal and a crucial 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, the fans will be hoping for a strong end to the campaign.
However, their run-in is far from easy, starting with a tough clash against Liverpool at the London Stadium. Despite the hosts being buoyed by their victory over the Cherries, the Reds will be a tough challenge, having won their last two Premier League games.
This is followed by a trip to Crystal Palace, where West Ham will face a revitalised Eagles side under Roy Hodgson. The veteran manager has excelled since taking charge, and the Hammers will likely be content with a point before facing off against Manchester City, who are at the peak of their powers once again.
Any points gained against the Sky Blues would be a bonus, before a fixture against former manager David Moyes’ old club Manchester United. The Red Devils have had a dip in form, and West Ham could potentially earn at least a point from this encounter.
Their penultimate away fixture is against Brentford, who have exceeded expectations throughout the campaign, playing some delightful football along the way. However, West Ham will be looking to avenge their earlier loss to the Bees, potentially benefiting from their opponents being “on the beach”.
The Hammers’ final home fixture against Leeds United is expected to be another victory, as the Whites are similarly struggling this season. Their final match against Leicester City could potentially be crucial for the Foxes’ relegation battle, but a draw seems the most likely outcome.
All in all, a predicted run-in point total of 9 and a season’s total of 43 doesn’t seem to be enough to secure a desirable finish, but in the unpredictable world of the Premier League, anything can happen. The West Ham faithful will be hoping for a strong end to the campaign, taking confidence from recent displays, and hopefully securing another season of Premier League football.
