Manchester United FC vs West Ham United FC, Premier League 2020-2021, Today Match Prediction

Manchester United FC vs West Ham United FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Manchester United secured a huge result last weekend, beating Manchester City in the derby and holding onto that 2nd position in the league ahead of Leicester.

It was a game in which United played brilliantly, in a counterattacking style that suits their way of playing down to the ground. Against West Ham, they will be forced to play differently and it will be interesting to see how they cope with that.

There is no chance of catching Manchester City at the top of the league, so the key priority here must be to gain three points and further secure a top four position.

For West Ham, they face the disappointment of having their top four position snatched away from them by a resurgent Chelsea side, who have shot up into 4th place in recent weeks.

The Hammers, who have one of the best records in 2021, will feel confident going into this one, having given United two close games already this season.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Manchester United FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): DDDWD

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions

     Looking to keep four consecutive clean sheets

Reasons to be fearful:

     All four of United’s defeats have come at Old Trafford

     Only won one of their home games against top 10 sides

Despite not being at full throttle right now, United are hanging onto that 2nd place with great determination.

The Red Devils have won just one of their last five games in all competitions, scoring just three goals in that period, with poor results against the likes of West Brom and Crystal Palace coming in recent weeks.

They also suffered a disappointing draw in their Europa League match against AC Milan in midweek, conceding late on and giving themselves a tough away match next week.

Coming into this game, they face a shortage of available strikers, with the likes of Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford likely to miss the game. Anthony Martial picked up a knock in midweek and could also miss out.

With a busy week coming up, United must secure another three points here.

Star Man – Bruno Fernandes

Virtually no player is as important to his club as Fernandes is United. He has 41 goal contributions in his 42 league games since going.

West Ham United FC Preview

Form Guide (all comps): LWWLW

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Claimed 26 points from their last 12 games

     Looking to equal their club record of seven away league wins

Reasons to be fearful:

     Only won seven of their 50 meetings with Man United

     Lost both games against United so far this season

West Ham’s great form can be summed up by their points tally currently – their 48 points is double what they had at this stage of last season, and their run over their last 12 games is five points better off than Manchester United.

They have sat inside the top four often this season, but have been the victim of Chelsea’s great form right now. It’s hard to see how Thomas Tuchel’s side will let their 4th place slip in the remaining two months of the season, but you never know.

Unfortunately for the Hammers, loan signing Jesse Lingard is unavailable to them here, as part of the terms of his loan contract from Manchester United.

Angelo Ogbonna will also miss out, with the likes of Fredericks, Masuaku and Yarmolenko doubtful.

Star Man – Michail Antonio

Missed both of West Ham’s defeats to United earlier in the season, but has two goals in his last three games.