West Ham United striker Simone Zaza (R). (Photo : Getty Images)
Last season's contending team West Ham United (1-5-0, 3 points) had been struggling to find their form in the first six rounds of the 2016-2017 Premier League season. They will try to gain their bearings as they host newly-promoted club Middlesbrough FC (1-3-2, 5 points) on Oct. 1, Saturday at the London Stadium.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 10:00 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
West Ham, last season's seventh-place finishers and one of the English top flight's Europa League qualifiers this term, is currently at the bottom three relegation area of the Premier League table. The team is on a four-game losing slide and have lost five of their six matches so far this season.
The Hammers were crushed by middling team Southampton, 0-3, last Sunday also at their own home field of London Stadium to continue the losses for head coach Slaven Bilić's crew, as per the Mirror.
Southampton forward Charlie Austin began the scoring at the 40th minute before midfielders Dusan Tadic and James Ward-Prowse netted one goal apiece in the second half to put away the challenge of the hosts.
West Ham has been the weakest defensive team so far as they gave up 16 goals to their first six opponents this term.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough is at 16th place in the overall standings as they are struggling to find wins in their English first division stint. The team only has one win at the moment and is on a three-game losing skid.
Their last match was a disappointing 1-2 defeat in the hands of second-running team Tottenham Hotspur at the Riverside Stadium last Saturday, The Sun reported.
The Spurs scored two quick first half goals, courtesy of South Korean winger Son Heung-min at the seventh and 23rd minutes to give the visitors the early lead in the match.
Middlesbrough managed to trim the lead to 1-2 with a header from defender Ben Gibson at the 65th minute, but it was all the Boro could do in the game.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a 2-1 victory for West Ham United.
West Ham United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Adrian; Nordtveit, Reid, Ogbonna, Arbeloa; Noble, Kouyate; Antonio, Lanzini, Payet; Zaza
Middlesbrough starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; de Roon, Clayton; Stuani, Ramirez, Downing; Negredo
