High Noon: Snodgrass & Livermore square off in Saturday clash

It’s no secret West Ham United and fans are itching to jump back into European competition. After an embarrassing early exit this summer from the Europa League, the organization is looking for some vengeance. If you want an idea of how most fans felt after being knocked out by Astra, check out this video. Warning, it’s (hilariously) graphic.

After the loss of he who shall not be named, West Ham United welcomed in two top players during the transfer window; Robert Snodgrass and Jose Fonte. Many fans are hoping and praying these two signings will be enough to propel us back into a Europa League spot, finishing at the very least, seventh. To do that, it’s going to have to start with a win at home against West Bromwich Albion.

West Ham are five points behind the Baggies, and a win at home would do wonders to moving up the ladder. Are West Ham United a better team than the squad Tony Pulis has built? Absolutely. But they didn’t go quietly into the transfer window either. Baggies dished out £10 million on Jake Livermore, a good midfielder who will fit the Tony Pulis system. However, was it enough to keep West Brom in the top 8?

After the sale of controversial Saido Berahino to Stoke City, West Brom was desperate for a striker. Salomón Rondón and Hal Robson-Kanu may not be good enough to anchor an attacking line. Then again, Tony Pulis has never been known for his attacking prowess. Midfield control and a strong defensive line has been the staple of Pulis teams, and West Brom is no different in that regard.

Two clubs, two vital new additions in the midfield. Snodgrass and Livermore, former teammates on relegation-threatened Hull City, face off against each other for the first time. They will have to put their friendships aside for 90 minutes as fans will argue who was the stronger signing. Snodgrass had this to say about the upcoming match:

"It will be very weird playing against Jake as it has not been that long since we last played together. It will be strange and they have also got a couple of the Scottish lads – Morrison and Fletcher and it will be good to come up against them but I want the three points for West Ham."

Jake Livermore, on the other hand, has yet to comment on the upcoming challenge against his former teammate.

While everyone will be talking about Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool this weekend, many eyes will be on this key match up. With 13 matches remaining, anything can happen in the top 6, the top 10, and the bottom 3. This is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Premier League finishes we’ve seen in a long time.