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Merson predicts Watford v West Ham

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Paul Merson believes that West Ham will come out on top in their clash with Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday in the final match of the Premier League season.

West Ham enter the game knowing a victory would see them leapfrog their opponents and claim a top ten finish, and the Hammers come into the game in good form having beaten Tottenham and Southampton in their last two games.

Watford meanwhile are preparing for their FA Cup final against Manchester City and Merson thinks that will help Manuel Pellegrini’s side on Sunday, predicting a 3-1 win for the Hammers.

“Watford must have an eye on the FA Cup final. You don’t play in it too often; years ago it was the ultimate, now it’s down the pecking order but that won’t be the case for Watford next week or Man City if they can do the English treble,” Merson wrote on the Sky Sports website.

“Troy Deeney will have to play because he needs to get his match fitness back, and you can’t see anyone lying down with him in the team. But I think there’ll be some changes ahead of the cup final, and I think that’ll take it from a draw to a West Ham win. They’ve picked some form too.”

OPINION

West Ham should just about be considered slight favourites for their game at Watford on Sunday, with the Hammers in good form of late, having won their last two matches without conceding, and their hosts potentially concentrating on their forthcoming FA Cup final clash with Manchester City. Pellegrini will hope that is the case as he looks for the win that would see his side overtake Watford and finish inside the top ten. That would represent a decent first season in charge at the London Stadium for the Chilean, and would show his side are making progress under his management. However, Watford will not want to end their season with a home defeat and relinquish their position in the top half of the table. Therefore it should make for an interesting encounter as both sides look to end their respective league campaigns on a high note ahead of next season.

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