BBC sports columnist Chris Sutton has backed Brentford to come out on top in Saturday’s London derby against West Ham United at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Hammers have made an awful start to the season. They’ve picked up just four points from five Premier League games and are languishing in 14th place on the table.
Only three points separate Julen Lopetegui’s side from the relegation zone, and the Spanish manager is under mounting pressure to turn things around, starting with this weekend’s London derby.
West Ham were thumped 3-0 on home turf by capital rivals Chelsea last weekend before losing 5-1 against Liverpool in the EFL Cup.
West Ham will be keen to arrest their slump this weekend, but Sutton believes a ‘well-balanced’ Brentford could inflict more damage on the beleaguered Hammers.
In his column for BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “Julen Lopetegui needs a result, and he needs a performance, the West Ham way… whatever that is under him.
“Their fans wanted a change, and they got the change… and I think they have expected a much better start than the one they have got.
“Brentford are always superbly organised and carry a goal threat.
“They went ahead against Manchester City and Tottenham in their past two league games, and although they ended up losing both, they ran Spurs very close and gave City plenty to think about too.
“Even without the injured Yoane Wissa, the Bees are a well-balanced team – and probably not the kind of opposition that West Ham need or want right now.”
Brentford could be a must-win game for Lopetegui
We’re only five games into the Premier League season, but Lopetegui is already fighting for his job after a miserable start to life in the Hammers dugout.
West Ham revamped their squad this summer, and Lopetegui played a key role in shaping the team, but he has failed to get a tune out of his highly talented troops.
Since claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the EFL Cup, West Ham have failed to win any of their subsequent four games in all competitions (D1, L3).
Anything but a win against Brentford could force the club to consider a managerial change to get their campaign back on track.
