Where are they now
4th– Manchester United – 23 games – 43 games – Goal Difference (+17)
8th – West Ham – 23 games – 36 points – Goal Difference (+8)
Manchester United
United come into this match after beating Leicester City 3-1 last week. They were in control for most of the match but Leicester came back strongly in the final 10 minutes even scoring one in the process.
They have lost just once in their last 16 cup and league matches but to be honest they haven’t played like a top side in quite a while. United are very much in transition mode as Louis Van Gaal is struggling to select his best 11.
Captain Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Adnan Januzaj
Despite being poor they have managed to put results together and find themselves in the top 4 with a chance to move within 2 points of defending champions Manchester City on Sunday who are 2nd on the table with a win against the Hammers.
If United were to slip-up this week then the chasing pack will get closer to them and they may well find themselves struggling keep hold of a top 4 spot come the end of the season.
A trip to Upton Park will be a difficult visit game for United but they have beaten West Ham in the last 11 out of 12 premier league meetings.
United will still be missing Micheal Carrick who hasn’t returned from his injury but they can take relief in the fact that Ashley Young will be available to return from injury.
West Ham United
Sam Allardyce
West Ham’s early form seems to be dipping as they find themselves struggling to keep up with the teams above them. They come into this game after losing to Liverpool convincingly last week by 2-0.
At Upton Park the team has been in impressive form picking up 23 points from a possible 30 till date this season. If the Hammers were to lose this game it will be their 300th loss in the Premier League but this is a milestone that they prefer happening some other time.
Sam Allardyce must find a way to win against the team he has never beaten in the premier league if they are to challenge for the European qualification spots.
West Ham won’t be delighted with the news that both James Collins and Winston Reid will be missing through hamstring injuries. Andy Carroll may also be missing as he has picked up a minor ankle injury. Hammers can take respite in the fact that Diafra Sakho is available again.
Past Meeting
Last time these two teams meet in the Premier League United went on to win 2-1 against West Ham after goals from Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie.
West Ham did get one goal back but United managed to hold on to their slender lead. United captain Wayne Rooney was sent off last time when he appeared to kick at Hammers player Stewart Downing in frustration.
Prediction: – 1-1 – West Ham United vs Manchester United – (West Ham are lethal at Upton Park. Even though a drawn game won’t help both these teams it will be a result that United may well take.)
Photo Usage:
Photos and videos featured on this post are used under a creative commons license, free to use and edit – Wikipedia Commons www.commons.wikimedia.org and Youtube permission to feature under its TOS.
