Saturday 17 April 2010

Hammers Tough Test for Rafa's Reds

Gianfranco Zola's relegation threatened West Ham side travel to Anfield on Monday night desperate to earn some valuable points to aid them in their fight for Premiership survival. After losing 6 games on the bounce plunged them deep into the relegation dog-fight the London outfit have took 4 points from their last two matches, earning an unexpected draw at Goodison Park and clinching a 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

West Ham have failed to win at Anfield in their last 42 attempts, however their recent up-turn in form will provide them with confidence heading into the Monday night clash. Their motivation to take something from this match is massive.

The Hammers sit one place above the relegation zone in 17th, however they have a 4 point cushion between themselves and Burnley, who are a place below in 18th. If they can earn at least one crucial point at Anfield they would be in the driving seat to stay up. After the Liverpool game West Ham face a 6-pointer at home to Wigan before difficult games away to Fulham and at home to Manchester City.

Rafa Benitez's side go into this match knowing that even if they claim all 3 points it could make little difference to our position in the table if either Spurs or City take points off Chelsea or United on Saturday. Liverpool must hope that both Tottenham and City lose their games, and take advantage of the situation by closing the gap to 2 points behind Tottenham Hotspur and 3 behind Manchester City with a win at home to West Ham.

Fernando Torres in unlikely to start the game as he struggles with a troublesome knee problem which kept him out of the squad that drew 0-0 at home to Fulham on Sunday. The Spanish striker was due to fly out to Spain to see a specialist during the week, however a volcanic ash cloud covering most of Western Europe has grounded all flights to and from the UK, leaving Torres stranded in Merseyside.

He has been working hard with the club's physios in the gym, however Rafa is unlikely to start Torres as the Reds have a massive game in Madrid against Atheltico on Thursday night. With a 4th place finish becoming ever more improbable Rafa has prioritised the Europa League, and would much prefer to keep Fernando on the bench against the Hammers in order to have him fully fit to start in the crucial semi-final bout in Spain on Thursday (that's presuming the dust cloud has moved by then!)

Liverpool must go into this game concentrating on taking all 3 points, which could offer us a glimmer of hope in the race for 4th spot should City and Spurs slip up on the weekend. Normally a win at home to West Ham is expected, however with the Hammers desperate to stay up, and Liverpool slipping up recently at home to Fulham, Liverpool should be prepared for a difficult encounter.

However, with a renewed sense of optimism surrounding Anfield after the news that the Yanks have put the club up for sale, I expect the team to claim a 2-0 victory with goals from Gerrard and a late goal off the bench from Torres sealing the win.

YNWA

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