It is fair to say that this season has been a good one for West Ham United. David Moyes and his team have punched very much above their weight after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Indeed, despite recent away defeats at runaway leaders Manchester City and a resurgent Manchester United, they still remain in contention for a Champions League place. However, it’s perhaps a long shot, and looking at their fixture list, the next three will probably determine their fate, one way or the other.
First up is a visit from Arsenal at the weekend, a match that betiton believe will go Moyes’ way. Just as West Ham have enjoyed a decent campaign, Arsenal’s has been a disappointment. The Gunners sit in mid-table, seven points behind their hosts, and so Hammers fans will be confident. However, Mikel Arteta’s men have only lost one of their last eight, and will be buoyed by last weekend’s derby win over Tottenham. And so while it is a winnable game for the Hammers, it won’t be an easy one.
Following the international break, West Ham return to action with a trip to Molineux to face Wolves. After recording two consecutive 7th place finishes after returning to the Premier League, this season has been a little deflating for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men. It’s looking like a repeat of the previous campaigns is very unlikely, but their results have picked up over the past month, and they will want to finish the season well. However, the Hammers will view it as another winnable fixture.
And following their visit to the Black Country, the Hammers host high-flying Leicester City, who have been in excellent form since the turn of the year, losing just three times, and look odds-on to secure a Champions League place. However, David Moyes will be keen to remind his players that they won 3-0 at the King Power Stadium earlier in the campaign, and therefore a positive result wouldn’t come as a surprise.
Aside from the two defeats in Manchester, West Ham have been in good form, beating Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur, and swatting aside bottom club Sheffield United, and so will be full of confidence.
But whatever happens in these next three games, the Hammers are highly likely to finish in the top eight, and whether or not they qualify for European football, the season should be viewed as a success, and a great step forward for the club. And for that, David Moyes deserves great credit.
