Match predictions are a complete lottery, we all know that. But there is one person who seems to do better than most and I will always take notice of with predictions, and that is Paul Merson.Especially when it comes to Chelsea because Paul watches Chelsea a lot being a Blues fan and also writing and reporting a lot on them with his job.So when Paul drops his Chelsea match predictions, I always like to tune in and see what he is saying.
For Chelsea fans this week though, it is not great news, and Paul is a bit concerned after Chelsea only just managed to beat Bournemouth last Saturday through a late Christopher Nkunku winner and a Robert Sanchez man of the match performance.
thinks Sancho will start
In his latest article for Sportskeeda, Merson wrote:
“I have the same thing to say about Chelsea every week, we just don’t know what we’re going to get with them.
“They beat Bournemouth 1-0 in the last game, but goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was the man of the match in my opinion. And if you’re Chelsea, that’s actually worrying. I think this game will end in a draw.
“I wont be surprised if Jadon Sancho starts against West Ham though. He played very well against Bournemouth and made the right decisions with the ball at the right times.
“It’s definitely a good start to life at Chelsea for him, but coming off the bench and making an impact is completely different to doing the same from the beginning of a game.
Things don’t get any easier for West Ham, with a clash with Chelsea to come tomorrow at the London Stadium.
We’re all expecting some big changes to the starting XI from the gaffer, after some truly horrendous team selections from him.
And that’s something that Paul Merson touched upon, when writing his regular column for Sportskeeda.
The problem with West Ham is that they’re still figuring out their best XI after making some important signings in the summer,“ Merson explained.
Now, I’m not sure that Lopetregui doesn’t know his best XI. The Spaniard has given more or less every single player who was at the London Stadium last season a fair chance to prove themselves.
However, I fully expect that to change for the Chelsea clash tomorrow. now’s the time for the new signings to make their mark.
Paul Merson has misread West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui
The Hammers head coach surely knows his best team on paper. We all do right.
Alphonse Areola in goal, with Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the full-back positions.
In central defence, Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo should form a really solid partnership.
The midfield three for tough away games should be Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez in a double pivot with Lucas Paqueta just in front of them.
However, for winnable home games, Lopetegui should start Carlos Soler and Paqueta alongside Alvarez.