West Ham host Manchester United at London Stadium in the race for the Premier League’s top six.
Separated by just one point coming into this game, victory would see West Ham or Man Utd move up to sixth before Newcastle play in the mid-afternoon kick-off.
Team News
Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet could return for West Ham after the pair missed the Hammers’ Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool in midweek, due to illness.
Michail Antonio (knee) remains absent.
Man Utd will be without Diogo Dalot after he was red carded during their goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend.
Bruno Fernandes (suspension) and Anthony Martial (illness) could return whilst Victor Lindelof (knock), Amad Diallo and Christin Eriksen (both knee) could feature if declared fit for selection by club doctors
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Harry Maguire (muscle), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Jadon Sancho (personal) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
West Ham host Man Utd at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 23 December at London Stadium, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have won one of their last seven league meetings against Man Utd (W1, D1, L5).
- Man Utd have lost three of their last five league visits to West Ham (W2, L3).
- Each of West Ham’s last three league meetings against Man Utd have been settled by 1-0 results, with the team playing at home having won each of those three clashes.
- Vladimir Coufal has been booked in each of West Ham’s last three league matches at home (W2, D1).
- Man Utd are yet to draw consecutive league games under Erik Ten Hag.
Prediction
West Ham fans will be disappointed with the lacklustre manner of their Carabao Cup exit following rotation but given that this game is a lunchtime kick-off, David Moyes had a tough decision in terms of handling his squad in a busy period.
I however do expect them to bounce back with James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta set to return to the line-up, because their absences were felt in the lack of creativity amidst some poor composure when got on rare attacks but they have shown that they are often stronger at home.
Man Utd meanwhile simply can’t be any more lacklustre than they were at Liverpool last weekend because their attack lacked desire nor quality aside from rare chances, yet their defence was absolutely resilient like a parked bus that Jose Mourinho would be proud of if he was in charge.
If West Ham can hit their stride early like they did against Wolves last weekend and Utd once again don’t find much spark up front, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hammers have enough for the win but you can’t write Erik Ten Hag’s Red Devils off.
Prediction: West Ham 1-1 Manchester United
Result: West Ham 2-0 Manchester United
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