Prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what could turn out to be a crunch showdown in the top-four chase, Manchester United will welcome West Ham to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, managing to put in what was an eye-catching second-half display away at Brentford earlier in the week, Manchester United will be desperate to build off of those positives. Eventually leaving west London with a 3-0 win to show for their troubles, the former Premier League champions will now be hoping to find some stability. While the Reds might have struggled to find top-gear with much fluidity since bringing Ralf Rangnick to Old Trafford, United are now in a real battle to clinch another top-four finish this season. Looking to lay down what could be a crucial marker on Saturday afternoon, the one-time RB Leipzig boss has lost just one of their 13 matchups since arriving in Manchester, a run that stems back to that infamous 4-1 defeat against Watford on November 11th. Bouncing back from that shock 1-0 loss against Wolves when opening 2022, the English giants should be smelling a real chance at Old Trafford this weekend.

Team News

Full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is once again expected to miss out at Old Trafford this weekend as he is still suffering from illness.

However, in a boost for Manchester United, Scotland international Scott McTominay is expected to feature despite picking up a knock in midweek.

West Ham

As for the visitors, while West Ham might have once again gained a host of plaudits this season, the Hammers are coming off the back of a nightmare display. Showing a host of issues at the back and eventually suffering an action-packed 3-2 defeat against relegation outsiders Leeds, David Moyes will be demanding an immediate response from his side when he returns to Old Trafford. Just about managing to hang onto their spot in the top-four, the one-time Manchester United boss certainly faces what is a huge task on Saturday afternoon. Opening the New Year with four victories on the spin, there is no doubt that West Ham will be calling on attacking talisman Jarrod Bowen to spearhead their charge here. Once again finding the net against Leeds last weekend and heavily linked with an England call-up sooner rather than later, the former Hull winger has now racked up four goals in just his last three appearances.

Team News

In what is a real boost for West Ham this weekend, the duo of Kurt Zouma and Tomas Soucek are expected to make their return at Old Trafford.

Likewise, knocked out of the AFCON with Algeria earlier in the week, Saïd Benrahma could feature on the Hammers’ bench this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the London Stadium on Premier League duties back in September, Manchester United picked up an action-packed 2-1 win.
• Likewise, the Reds have won each of their last three Premier League meetings against West Ham.
• Manchester United have lost just a single matchups across all formats since Ralf Rangnick arrived at Old Trafford.
• Jarrod Bowen has scored four goals in his last three appearances across all competitions.
• Each of West Ham’s last eight fixtures have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Managing to land a 3-0 romp away at Brentford earlier in the week, Manchester United should be confident of extending on that result here. Making their return to Old Trafford in what should be a crucial showdown in the race for a Champions League spot, Saturday’s hosts have still lost just a single contest since Rangnick arrived at the club. With West Ham slumping to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at home against Leeds last weekend, former United boss David Moyes will know that his side face another tough test on the road. Losing each of their last three straight Premier League meetings against the former champions, we’re backing a home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Unibet