West Ham were thumped 5-1 at Liverpool in Wednesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final but a league win over former club Manchester United would put a smile back on David Moyes’ face.
The Hammers have won four of their last six league matches, also progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League, and they kick off the weekend just one point behind United.
The Red Devils held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield last weekend but Erik ten Hag and his players are still feeling the heat after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
Team news
West Ham are missing injured striker Michail Antonio while Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are doubts.
Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot is suspended after his red card against Liverpool but skipper Bruno Fernandes returns from a ban. Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Anthony Martial will be assessed but Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo remain sidelined.
The stats
Both teams have scored in all seven of West Ham’s matches against top-half teams this season.
The Hammers have conceded at least once in six of their eight league victories in 2023-24.
13 of West Ham’s last 16 league matches featured over 2.5 goals.
Manchester United have picked up one point from six matches against other top-nine clubs this term.
The Red Devils have scored only 18 goals in 17 Premier League matches.
United have been leading at half-time in only two of their 17 league games.
Prediction
Manchester United have lost seven of their first 17 Premier League matches this season and another defeat is looming when the Red Devils travel to the London Stadium.
They were grateful for some uncharacteristically sloppy finishing from Liverpool, who had 34 shots in last weekend’s stalemate and then took out their frustration on the Hammers in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
However, West Ham are going well in the league, beating Nottingham Forest, Burnley, Tottenham and Wolves within their last six fixtures, and they could prove too sharp for a depleted United defence.
Before the draw at Anfield, ten Hag’s men were thrashed 3-0 at home by Bournemouth and they conceded 15 goals in six Champions League group matches against Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
West Ham, with forwards Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in sparkling form, should cause serious problems for United although the home defence generally offers up the odd gift to opponents so backing the Hammers to win and both teams to score looks a sound bet.
