A game that has massive potential to be an upset. West Ham host struggling Manchester United. After making a slow season start, West Ham have picked up some very good form winning at Everton, drawing Chelsea and putting 8 past Macclesfield in the cup. Meanwhile Man Utd have been in a turmoil again recently with Jose falling out with Pogba and losing to Derby in the cup after bottling a home game against Wolves. This is a huge chance for the Hammers to pick up some bonus points.
Key Facts
West Ham have only won 1 of their previous 18 matches against Manchester United.
West Ham are still winless at home in the league this season. 0W 1D 2L. However, they did draw Chelsea in the most recent game.
Arnautovic is West Ham’s top scorer with 3, Yarmolenko is second with 2.
West Ham on average have been conceding about 2 goals per game in the league.
Manchester United have actually been better away from home this season. 2W 0D 1L in the league and they also won away in Europe compared to their 1W 1D 2L home record in all competitions.
Romelu Lukaku is United’s top scorer with 4, however he’s not scored in 3 straight wasting some very good chances.
Defensively, Man Utd have been shocking conceding 1.5 league goals per game and only keeping one clean sheet.
In all competitions both of these teams have been overish. 6 out of 8 games had an over 2.5 goals for BOTH sides.
Team News
West Ham: Marko Arnautovic is still questionable, however it’s more than likely that he will return to the side after returning to training. Chicarito is unlikely to feature. Elsewhere Reid, Carroll and Wilshere are all out still. With Wilshere out, youngster Declan Rice has been able to play and has made a fantastic impact for the Hammers against two tough sides in Everton and Chelsea. Michail Antonio played up front last week with Arnautovic out and was effective, but couldn’t take his chances however he did respond with a goal against Macclesfield in the cup and could start up front if by any chance Arnautovic isn’t fit enough to start. We will probably see a very similar line-up to the one that got a draw against Chelsea last week from Manuel Pellegrini, if fit Arnautovic coming back into the starting line-up will probably be the only change that Pellegrini will make.
Manchester United: Sergio Romero is the only absentee for United after being sent off against Derby, but he wasn’t going to feature anyway given that he’s the backup to de Gea. Unless de Gea gets injured then it won’t have any effect on United. Lee Grant will replace Romero on the bench. Marcus Rashford has now done serving his 3 match ban and could start for United especially given how poor Alexis Sanchez have been. We should see all of the main 1st team players starting again with the likes of Pogba, Shaw, Valencia, Smalling, de Gea returning into the starting line-up after being left out against Derby during the midweek game. Paul Pogba did have a massive bust up with Mourinho, but it’d be hard to expect Jose to bench him in a game that’s must win. But who knows, maybe he will do it so we’ll have to wait and see for that.
Betting Tips and Predictions
Looking at this on paper you’d expect some goals. However, we won’t back an over. Instead we’ll back the BTTS at 1.72. West Ham have kept a clean sheet against Chelsea last week, but it’s going to be tough to repeat that against United. Sure United are in turmoil but going forward they still have been able to get goals. West Ham themselves should be able to score considering that Arnautovic is likely to be back and United haven’t been defending well (1.5 goals allowed per average in the league). West Ham to win at 4.45 does hold value here. Because United are in turmoil right now and the players are seemingly not fighting for their manager, we will more than likely see United get upset by some lower clubs and West Ham are one of those clubs that are fully capable of winning this type of match. West Ham have played better football in the past week or so and they should be coming into this game believing that they can win. West Ham 1X at 2.05 is a safer bet if you don’t want to back a win. We’re looking at a potential 2-1 win for the Hammers which really shouldn’t surprise anyone given the state of Man Utd right now.
Match Odds (TonyBet)
West Ham Win – 4.45
Draw – 3.85
Manchester United Win – 1.82
KICK OFF – 29th September 2018 – 12:30pm UK Time
