In what promises to be a captivating clash, Manchester United aims to capitalize on the momentum gained from a recent draw against Liverpool as they face West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Match Preview
Erik ten Hag’s squad secured a valuable point at Anfield, positioning them in seventh place with 28 points.
On the flip side, West Ham is coming off a disappointing 5-1 defeat against Liverpool in the EFL Cup quarter-finals, adding to their December inconsistency.
The Hammers won three, drew one, and lost two of their six games this month, suffering heavy defeats in their last two outings.
Despite a lackluster performance in the League Cup, West Ham remains a force in the Europa League, reaching the last-16 stage.
In the Premier League, they have won four of their last six, including a convincing 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Currently occupying the ninth spot in the table with 27 points, West Ham’s home form has been commendable, collecting 14 points from eight games. A win against Manchester United could propel them to the sixth position.
In their previous encounter, West Ham secured a 1-0 win against the Red Devils, with Said Benrahma’s goal making the difference.
Manchester United, on the other hand, has struggled lately, winning only one of their last six games, losing to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.
With 28 points from 17 league games, Manchester United finds themselves in seventh place, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. Their EFL Cup and Champions League campaigns ended prematurely, intensifying the pressure on ten Hag’s team.
Looking ahead, Manchester United faces a crucial period with a home game against Aston Villa and an away fixture against Nottingham Forest.
Their away form has been decent, picking up 13 points from eight games, but they face a West Ham side that defeated them at the London Stadium in September 2021.
Team News:
West Ham will miss the services of Michail Antonio due to a long-term knee problem, while Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are expected to return.
Moyes is set to make changes to the lineup, with Lucas Paqueta, James Ward-Prowse, Kurt Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson Palmieri, and Lukasz Fabianski returning.
For Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes returns from suspension, potentially displacing Sofyan Amrabat.
Several players, including Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, and Amad Diallo, are unavailable.
Possible Lineups:
West Ham United: (4-3-3)
Fabianski;
Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson;
Soucek, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse;
Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta
Manchester United: (4-2-3-1)
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Shaw;
Mainoo, McTominay;
Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho;
Hojlund
Prediction: West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
Expect a closely contested match between two sides seeking a win. While Manchester United may have fresher legs, West Ham’s strong league form could secure them a valuable point at home, leading to a likely draw in this weekend’s clash.
