West Ham face a tough test of their European challenging credentials as David Moyes’ Hammers welcome Manchester United to London Stadium in a huge Super Sunday clash.
Should Brighton draw elsewhere in the other mid-afternoon Super Sunday match, West Ham can go second with a win.
Man Utd meanwhile can go top with a win by three goals or more.
Team News
Michail Antonio is ruled out for West Ham after he was red-carded in last weekend’s goalless draw at Southampton.
Said Benrahma (knock) is a doubt but Winston Reid (knee) remains absent.
Man Utd could welcome Scott McTominay back after recovering from a groin injury, which required surgery during this month’s international break.
Alex Telles (ankle), Phil Jones (fitness), Amad Diallo (thigh), Edinson Cavani (fitness) and Marcus Rashford (shoulder) all remain absent.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have won just one of their last five league meetings against Manchester United (W1, D1, L3).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in three of their last five visits to West Ham (W2, D1, L2).
- Two of last three meetings at London Stadium in this fixture has finished in 3-1 results, with both teams winning once each by that result – West Ham in September 2018 and Man Utd in December 2020.
- Pablo Fornals has scored four goals in West Ham’s last three home matches.
- Mason Greenwood is Man Utd’s only away scorer this season in the Premier League, having netted two goals on the road away from Old Trafford.
Prediction
Having found themselves frustrated last weekend at Southampton, West Ham delivered an excellent reaction in Thursday’s away win at Dinamo Zagreb in Europa League so I do expect them to continue that momentum here despite Antonio’s suspension.
Man Utd meanwhile will be eager to put Tuesday’s shock Champions League loss at Young Boys behind them quickly, especially after delivering an exceptional domestic performance last weekend against Newcastle so expect Utd to come out fighting here.
The first goal though feels like it could be key because if West Ham score first then we are in for a proper fight, otherwise I can see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils kicking on and dominating if they get on the front foot quickly.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Manchester United