West Ham United taking on Arsenal would have been a really straight forward game with everyone putting their money on the Gunners to win.
But this fixture has surely left a lot of people perplexed since both these sides have been playing so awful football.
The Gunners have not picked up a win in their last six Premier League matches while West Ham United have managed just one three-pointer in the same number of outings.
Moreover, this match will be played at the London Stadium and the Hammers have not won here since mid-September. Also to make matters worse, Arsenal’s last win on the road came during the opening weekend of the season.
So naturally, all this has left the pundits, as well as the bookies, confused and two of the foremost pundits have predicted totally different outcomes.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas feel that Arsenal have shown more determination which is why they should nick this match on Monday.
Nicholas wrote: “These are two teams in a right mess. I saw more fight from Arsenal at Norwich, but it was a disaster defensively and a crazy team selection from Freddie Ljungberg.
“West Ham will be up for it, as will Arsenal – they have a chance of catching up and getting back in the top six. A bit of momentum can get you there.
“They have class up top, but West Ham are not showing a lot at the moment.”
But according to BBC’s Mark Lawrenson, West Ham United will nick this one thanks to a combination of Arsenal’s poor away form and their blunt defending.
“Both of these teams have got problems, but Arsenal’s away form is probably the biggest issue here,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
“The Gunners’ defending is not getting any better either and, if West Ham turn up for this one, I think they will win.
“Until Arsenal appoint a manager, it is difficult to know what direction they are going in – but it appears to be downwards at the moment.
“Their chances of securing Champions League football for next season by making the top four are starting to look remote.”
