West Ham United V Manchester United

West Ham United V Manchester United

Kick-off: Saturday 5^th December – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Upton Park

West Ham United

League Position: 14th

Recent Form: DLDWL

West Ham’s recent success, a 5-3 win over a poor travelling Burnley, is hard to read anything into after they nearly threw away a five goal lead. West Ham started the game like a house on fire, storming into a 5-0 lead, but a lack of concentration at the back almost led to a West Ham collapse and, were it not for the final whistle, West Ham could have left Upton Park red faced. However, the result is all that will matter to Gianfranco Zola, as he clearly stated in his short interview afterwards, and the three points will do nicely as the Hammers continue to climb out of the bottom three.

The result was great, the performance was a mixed bag. The first half seen West Ham put Burnley well and truly to the sword, scoring three in first 45 minutes before extending their lead after the break. However, their second half capitulation has sent alarm bells ringing once again as West Ham look as vulnerable as ever before the arrival of a Manchester United who smashed Portsmouth for four last Saturday.

In past season, Upton Park has often been a retreat for West Ham whenever times are hard. Well, the Hammers are hovering above the relegation after spending several awkward weeks in the bottom three so there’s no time like the present to return home to what should be a happy hunting ground. However, that hasn’t been the case this season, although, results have steadily improved in recent visits, with West Ham winning two of their previous three encounters at Upton Park.

In general it’s been a very poor start from a West Ham side who finished in the top ten last season. It was always going to be hard emulating their success of last term but they’ve gone from hero to zero since the summer. The arrival of Franco means Carlton Cole is no longer a lone solider up front which should bolster their attacking credentials, but it’s been their defence which has been the main cause for concern. Robert Green is normally a master of consistency but even he has struggled to keep the West Ham defence a float. What’s more, Green has conceded four more goals at home then he has done away from their beloved Upton Park so perhaps West Ham have allowed themselves to become too comfortable at home, possibly leading to home complacency.

For West Ham to take anything from this game they will need a rapturous support from their home fans. The players have shown on more then one occasion this season that they can nod off mid-game and it’s down to the fans to keep the players minds well and truly focused on the job at hand. An early goal for United is likely but it won’t be the be all and end all and the Hammers fans need to remember this on Saturday.

Manchester United

League Position: 7th

Recent Form: LWLDD

United warmed up for this trip down to London in fine style when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday. A result which seen The Red Devils progress into the last four of the Carling Cup. However, it’s now all hands on deck again as United return back to Premiership action against a West Ham side in did win on their last league outing, so perhaps United will have to work a lot harder then they did last Saturday when they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Last Saturday, at Fratton Park, United were far from their glistening, free-flowing best but it was yet another set of three points. United were actually under the cosh in the first 20 minutes of that game, with Portsmouth throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the United defence. But, despite a successful Boateng penalty for Pompey, United did the expected and won the game, but in an unconvincing manner it has to be said. They were surprisingly sluggish in the opening exchanges, passes were going astray, and were it not for a generous referee, United may have struggled to get on top of Portsmouth. Two of United’s four goals came from the spot, with Rooney converting both on the way to a hat-trick, but it far from one way traffic as Portsmouth did spur several glorious opportunities.

United weren’t poor, they just weren’t their sparkling best. Still, as long as you win nowadays the performance generally doesn’t matter. With those three points, United have kept in touch with an on-fire Chelsea side, although, The Red Devils are still five points adrift of the leaders. However, with Chelsea facing a tricky trip to United’s nearby City neighbours, this venture to Upton Park could be very beneficial as United could close the gap to just two points were Chelsea to lose at The City of Manchester stadium. That has to be in the minds of the United players and we expect a strong start this time, unlike the one at Portsmouth a week ago.

Man Utd’s away record may look a tad shabby at 4-0-3 but two of those defeats did come at top four venues, losing 1-0 at Chelsea & 2-0 at Liverpool. The other was a rare and arguably the shock of the season defeat at Burnley, losing 1-0. However, on the whole, United have been their usual clinical selves on the road, beating the lesser sides in the league such as; Wigan Athletic (0-5), Stoke City (0-2), Portsmouth (1-4) and even a very creditable win at White Hart Lane against an improving and dangerous Tottenham, winning 1-3. They’ve found the opposing net on 14 occasions whilst managing to ship just six and despite not having sixty-thousand United fans cheering them this Saturday, United should still be far too strong for what is an under-performing West Ham side at current.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

West Ham United W: 3 Manchester United W: 6 Draws: 1

The mighty Red Devils certainly haven’t had it all their own way against the Hammers. However, in recent meetings, it’s been pretty one way traffic, with United winning the previous three. The beat West Ham twice last season, without conceding a single goal. A 2-0 victory at Old Trafford, while a narrow 1-0 win at Upton Park, by virtue of a Ryan Giggs strike, secured them a league double over West Ham, their very first in the Premiership.

Back in 2006/2007, West Ham did go on a three match winning run over United, recording two 1-0 victories and a 2-1 success, two of which came at Upton Park. However, they failed to bridge the gap in recent season and their failure to score against the Red Devils last season just emphasises how far behind West Ham have fallen

Match Verdict:- Manchester United to WIN – 1.50 PaddyPower

West Ham may have won their last home encounter but their defensive flaws were there for all to see, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be licking his lips at the prospect of attacking a vulnerable West Ham defence. Wayne Rooney will be confident after scoring a hat-trick last Saturday at Fratton Park, while Ryan Giggs could start from the off after an inspirational performance against Portsmouth last Saturday and the Welshmen’s goal in last seasons encounter at Upton Park was all that separated the two back then. Will lightening strike twice or will it be Rooney to continue his rich vein of scoring goals, Either way, United should win this relatively comfortably.

Match Odds:

West Ham United – 8.00 Coral

Draw – 4.30 Bet365

Manchester United – 1.50 PaddyPower

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Wayne Rooney FGS – 4.50 SkyBet