Chris Sutton believes that the upcoming match between West Ham United and Southampton at the London Stadium puts all the pressure on the Hammers and their manager David Moyes, as relays the HampshireLive.
The two teams are closely ranked near the bottom of the Premier League table, with just one point separating them. Southampton currently occupies the bottom spot with 23 points from 28 games, while West Ham sits at 18th place with 24 points from 26 games, but has two games in hand over the Saints.
According to BBC pundit Sutton, despite Southampton’s lower position in the table, the pressure is on West Ham boss Moyes, who is under scrutiny due to the Hammers’ poor league performance. Sutton predicted a 1-1 draw for the upcoming game and commented on West Ham’s need for a win.
He also mentioned that the atmosphere will be tense, which could work in Southampton’s favor. Sutton pointed out that Southampton and Leicester are the only two top-flight teams to have collected more points on the road than at home this season.
“That away form will give Saints some belief and, with James Ward-Prowse in their side, they have such a weapon from free-kicks. They are bottom so they are under pressure but the real pressure on Sunday will be on the Hammers.
“David Moyes said the video assistant referee “needed to go to Specsavers” after some important decisions went against his team when these two sides drew 1-1 at St Mary’s Stadium in October – including what he called a “judo move” by a Southampton defender inside their box.
“This time it is going to be just as close and even a draw might not be enough to save Moyes. He definitely needs the big calls to go his way this time, otherwise he could end up on the wrong end of a karate move – and get the chop.”