"They should leave with the points" - Chris Sutton makes straightforward prediction for West Ham vs Liverpool

BBC Sport's Chris Sutton has predicted Liverpool to maintain their excellent run of form and defeat West Ham United in their upcoming Premier League clash. They are set to face each other at the London Stadium on Sunday, December 29.

Liverpool showed great composure to come back from behind to secure a 3-1 win over Leicester City at Anfield midweek. They have now won three games on the bounce across competitions. They are at the summit of the league standings with 42 points from 17 games, six points above second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.

On the other hand, the Hammers are in 13th place with 23 points. While Julen Lopetegui's side have stabilized in recent weeks and are unbeaten in their last four games, Liverpool have been the better side in recent history. The Reds have lost just once against West Ham in their last 16 league games, winning 12, and drawing three.

Sutton wrote (via BBC Sport):

"Is anyone going to be able to stop Liverpool? I don't think West Ham will. To be fair to the Hammers, they are level on points with Spurs and above Manchester United in the table, so maybe their season is just a slow burner."

"So far, they have been underwhelming under Julen Lopetegui, but they have now put together a four-game unbeaten run and Jarrod Bowen seems to have become their go-to player in recent weeks."

He added:

"Liverpool's ability to rotate their team could be key again here, though. They did that against Leicester last time out, when Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz dropped to the bench - I had Diaz as my Fantasy captain, so I was not happy - but it made no difference to the way they played."

"Arne Slot has such great quality right through his squad that I just think the Reds will keep rolling on. They won't have as much fun as they did the last time they were in London, but they should leave with the points again."

Sutton's Prediction: 0-2

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"It was a kamikaze, circus season" - Rio Ferdinand explains why he would choose Enzo Maresca over Liverpool's Arne Slot for Manager of the Season

Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand has detailed why he would select Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca as the Premier League's Manager of the Season over Liverpool's Arne Slot.

Slot has been sensational since replacing Jurgen Klopp over the summer. The Dutchman has won 22 out of his 26 games in charge across competitions with a win percentage of 84.62 - the best managerial start in the club's history. In addition, Liverpool are comfortably at the top of the league and UEFA Champions League standings.

Despite this, Ferdinand explained why he would still choose Maresca. He said (via METRO):

"My reason why [it’s Maresca]… Arne Slot has been amazing, don’t get me wrong. But he’s taken over a very good team, a stable team, a stable club, the manager says he’s leaving months before he’s leaving. He’s been able to prepare, the club hasn’t gone mad in the transfer window."

He added:

"Slot comes into a well-oiled machine already. Yeah, it was stuttering a bit. He’s tweaked a few things, wasn’t crazy which I think is an art in itself and I give him credit for. They’re flying, top of the league."

"Maresca has come into a circus. At the back-end of last season, they were in great form but, nonetheless, it was a kamikaze, circus season. All over the place, having to deal with saga after saga. He absolutely settles the ship and they’re flying. Most chances created, most shots on goal, most goals, entertaining to watch, the lot."

Maresca helped Leicester get promoted back to the league last season before replacing Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea over the summer. The Italian has exceeded expectations at the club to date, with the Blues in third place in the table with 35 points from 18 games.