West Ham United v Aston Villa: Can the Villains spoil the Hammers’ return?
This is arguably the toughest clash of the opening weekend to predict. West Ham United are at home, have made a number of new signings and the fans will be confident of getting the new campaign off to a winning start. However, Villa have been the boss of this fixture over the past few years and Paul Lambert will let his attacking players loose this season. This could be a cracker.
West Ham have only managed one victory over the Villains in the past five seasons but, under Allardyce, the Hammers will be much more direct with their play. Villa fans, who were frustrated by McLeish’s bland style last season, should be on their feet a lot more this season as Lambert aims to get the best out of the likes of Ireland, N’Zogbia and Agbonlahor.
West Ham United v Aston Villa; Kick Off 3pm August 18 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Shub Chaterjee |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hossiennia |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
This is going to be tight but West Ham might just have the edge.
Home: 14; Draw: 10; Away: 9. TBA 1.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
