West Ham United were the surprise package of the Premier League in the last campaign by finishing sixth in the table. The Hammers have proved after their opening two games of the new season that performance might not have been a one-season wonder under David Moyes.
The Scot is slowly rebuilding his image after disastrous spells at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland. Moyes is creating a team at London Stadium with all the hallmarks of his Everton side that continually punched above their weight between 2002 and 2013 before his departure to United.
Their wins over Newcastle United and Leicester City in their opening two matches proved that the Hammers will not only be an exciting team to watch over the course of the season, but also one that could challenge for a place in the top four. You can receive odds of 10.00 in a visit to Space Casino for the club to finish in the Champions League places. It would be a major achievement considering that Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United appear to be very strong outfits this term. However, those sides are not infallible and the Hammers do have quality in all areas of the pitch to make a challenge for a top-four spot.
Michail Antonio has been outstanding for the Hammers since his move to the club from Nottingham Forest in 2015. He has been a model of consistency, tweaking his game from being a winger from he first arrived in East London to a battering ram centre forward that excels in holding the ball and bringing his team-mates into the game. Antonio also has the key clinical edge required to play top-flight football, becoming the club’s highest Premier League goal scorer following his brace against Leicester City. The 31-year-old will not score 20 goals a season, but considering his strong start to the current campaign, a tally of 15 would suit Moyes and the Hammers perfectly.
Antonio will continue to thrive in the final third due to the quality operating in behind him. Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals are developing into elite talents in the final third. Benrahma was a standout at Brentford for two years before earning a move to the Premier League. He had a slow start to his Hammers career, but has hit the ground running at the start of the new season. The 26-year-old could be one of the stars of the season. Fornals has been excellent in his first two years at London Stadium, and now seems to be taking the next step. If West Ham’s three attackers operate at a high standard throughout the year, then a top-four place could within their grasp.
West Ham’s backline allows their forwards to play with freedom. Defensive shields do not come much better than Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Rice is developing into one of the leading players at his position in the world as proven by his performances in the European Championships with England. Soucek is no slouch either, and was also a potent goal threat last season with 10 strikes to his name. The Hammers still have work do to regarding their defence, but Moyes can employ tactics can hide any deficiencies with the club’s rearguard.
The Scot has the talent at his disposal and the motivation to prove his doubters wrong. West Ham could be the team to watch to spring a surprise in the Premier League once more.
