Only one of big five pundits predict West Ham will beat Bournemouth

West Ham welcome Bournemouth to the London Stadium and the verdicts are in from the Premier League’s top pundits.

Graham Potter has admitted things aren’t going as well as he hoped at West Ham ahead of the game against Bournemouth.

West Ham have played 11 games under Potter so far, losing six and winning just three.

A 1-0 defeat at Wolves in midweek has given rise to early murmurings of discontent among fans.

Some supporters are unconvinced by Potter so far.

The West Ham boss believes his team must try to earn a connection with the fans in the remaining four home games of the season.

Hammers and Cherries need wins for very different reasons

That starts with the visit of Bournemouth for the Premier League clash at the London Stadium.

Andoni Iraola’s side have only won once in their last seven games – and that was on penalties in the FA Cup.

West Ham brought forward season ticket renewals by two months in their desperation to generate cashflow towards Potter’s summer window business.

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So the owners will want to see the manager give fans something to get excited about if they hope to sell many.

The Cherries need to beat the Hammers to get back into European contention.

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Big five pundits predict West Ham vs Bournemouth

West Ham just need to start winning full stop and have the minor incentive of going about Spurs and David Moyes’ Everton.

But how do the so-called experts think Potter’s side will fare?

Only one of the big five pundits predict West Ham will beat Bournemouth – and you won’t believe who.

Chris Sutton believes West Ham’s awful home form will cost them dear with the Cherries fired up to get into Europe.

“Cherries boss Andoni Iraola could do with a strong finish to the campaign to ensure his reputation continues to grow,” Sutton told BBC Sport.

“It finished 1-1 when these two sides met at the Vitality Stadium before Christmas and I am pretty sure the BBC readers will go for a draw this time too.

Only one pundit predicts West Ham win – you won’t believe who

“West Ham have struggled at home of late, losing three of their past four there, with their only win coming against Leicester.

“Bournemouth’s form doesn’t suggest they will take the points either, but I am not sitting on the fence like I expect you lot will. 1-2.”

The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer turned pundit Alan Shearer says West Ham have been totally unconvincing under Potter so far.

Shearer notes that Bournemouth are ‘falling away a little bit’ and ‘I’ve not been convinced with West Ham’.

As a result Shearer has gone for a draw.

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Leading football analyst Lewis Jones has his own Sky Sports column titled ‘Jones Knows’.

He thinks Jarrod Bowen’s tweak in position under Potter has seen a significant spike in how often he is fouled.

Jones believes West Ham can exploit the fact Bournemouth have made the most fouls of any team in the Premier League.

He has highlighted the Hammers can get at their often exposed midfield. But he believes goals will be in short supply with Potter’s side scoring just 10 in 11 so far. Prediction: 1-1.

Paul Merson says West Ham are simply not firing under Potter so far.

But despite highlighting Bournemouth need the win more, Merson also believes it will be a 1-1 draw.

“Bournemouth must win this game to stay alive in the race for a European berth,” Merson told SportsKeeda.

“Fortunately for them, they now face a West Ham team that has not set the stage on fire under Graham Potter. I still think this will end up being a draw though.”

Lawrenson breaks habit of a lifetime by backing Hammers

But we save the best – and perhaps the most unexpected – until last.

Mark Lawrenson was infamous for rarely ever predicting the Hammers to win during his decades with the BBC.

In fact, had Lawreson’s predictions been reality most seasons then West Ham would have been relegated.

Yet it is Lawro who is the only top Premier League pundit predicting victory for Potter’s side.

“The wheels have come off a little bit for Bournemouth, they’ve not won in five and are out of the FA Cup as well,” Lawrenson said.

“West Ham are no great shakes but I just fancy them here. West Ham 2-1 Bournemouth.”

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