Staff Predictions – Hull City v West Ham

West Ham take on Hull City this Saturday in a match that both teams desperately need to win. The Hammers need to end a five game winless run and shut down rumours of Bilic’s impending departure. Meanwhile, Hull are 18^th in the Premier League and need a victory to give themselves a fighting chance to avoid relegation.

Things are heating up the Brace the Hammer prediction league, Chad is still leading the league with three points but Andrew is nipping at his heels:

To recap the scoring system:

1 point – correctly predicting the game’s outcome

3 points – correctly predicting the score and outcome

With nine West Ham games remaining there is all to play for and the mystery prize could be going to anyone. You might notice that I still haven’t recorded a single point despite regularly writing this feature; this is because I have predicted a West Ham win every time. I clearly inhabit a fantasy world where my team can sometimes win games.

Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Here are this week’s predictions:

Andy Kostka

I think it'll be another draw, sadly. West Ham 1-1 Hull

Jonathan Liebling

If West Ham can somehow not manage to concede a goal in the first 20 minutes, as they tend to do, I think we’ll be okay. The Hammers have a tendency to grow into games as of late, usually after letting a goal or two slip early. If they can keep Hull blank in the first half, they will win. That being said, without Reid, that’s a tall order. Ultimately, I think we’re looking at a 2-2 draw here.

Brian Tenerowicz

No Winston Reid, Antonio, or Obiang. Those injuries hurt a lot. 2-1 to Hull

Chad Hoy

West Ham to 2-1

Being a blatant homer on this one, but the team needs a win and I think they'll get it. They've struggled with Hull all season so we'll see.

Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Charlie Walsh

Hull 1-2 West Ham

Bilic has made a habit recently of pulling out performances and results when he's needed it most. I'm not fearful of relegation but losing to a side like Hull just isn't good enough, no matter how good Silva's home form is. As hopeful as I am for a good performance, I cannot see us not conceding.

Tom Atherton

Tough game, Hull haven't lost at home in the last few months and will be fighting hard for survival. Bad result for us last weekend against Leicester coupled with 3 major injuries to our starting XI could prove a tough challenge for us this weekend - 2-2 Draw

Pete Schlenker (HammerPete)

I don't know what happened to the team when Marco Silva got there, but the results have been night and day since the Portuguese manager took over. A match that West Ham fans once could have circled and said "we got this one" suddenly looks very difficult.

Our back end leaks goals and Hull, to their credit, has been usually lights out at home at keeping clean sheets or goals allowed to a minimum. This is the same Hull team that beat Liverpool 2-0 at home. Of course, they did lose 4-0 to Everton on the road, so this might depend on which Hull team and which West Ham team show up.

A lot of injuries to key players, but the team is rested after an international break. 1-1 Draw with a lot of long balls being hoofed up the pitch in the direction of Andy Carroll.

Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Wallace Milner

West Ham are, objectively, the better team. However, under Marco Silva the Tigers have looked motivated and organized. West Ham 1-1 Hull City

Me!

I have learnt nothing and am predicting a strong West Ham win to get the season back on track. Everyone will be happy and the anti-Bilic clamour will lose momentum. With a trip to Arsenal coming up next, the team need to find winning ways and fast. Otherwise there will be a major social media witch hunt immediately after the game.

Perhaps the injury to Winston Reid could benefit the team, as Bilic will be forced to change personnel around defensively, which may rectify some issues. I’m expecting James Collins to partner José Fonte, a combination we have yet to see. We have conceded 6 goals in the past two games, surely things can’t get worse.

Writing from my fantasy world of a successful West Ham United team, I predict a nervy 1-0 win for the boys in claret and blue.

Let us know you predictions in the comments below for a chance to win the mystery prize.