Manchester United will look to build on their much improved performance at Selhurst Park as they return to Old Trafford on Thursday to complete the midweek Premier League schedule against West Ham United.
The Red Devils responded well to their disappointing defeat against the ten men of Everton with a 2 1 win away at Crystal Palace, a venue that has caused problems for many teams in recent seasons. They now turn their attention to a West Ham side that has won four of the last five league meetings between the clubs.
| Man Utd vs West Ham | Odds |
|---|---|
| Man Utd | 2/5 |
| Draw | 15/4 |
| West Ham | 11/2 |
Ruben Amorim did not enjoy the smoothest first December as Manchester United manager, but he will hope to begin the festive period with a positive result on home turf. His team have lost only one of their last seven Premier League matches and now sit just three points off the top four heading into Matchday Fourteen. It is a clear sign of progress that United are moving in the right direction after a turbulent opening to the campaign.
West Ham arrive in Manchester in a difficult position. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side dropped into the bottom four on goal difference before this round of fixtures and they continue to struggle away from home. The Hammers are still waiting for their first away league win under the Portuguese coach and their lack of cutting edge was evident during Sunday’s 2 0 defeat to Liverpool, a match in which they failed to register a single shot on target. The absence of Lucas Paqueta, who was sent off in that game, leaves them without their most influential creative player.
There is additional pressure on Amorim as he seeks to avoid a record he would prefer not to own. A defeat on Thursday would make him the fastest manager in Manchester United history to reach ten home league losses. However, recent history is on his side. The Red Devils are unbeaten in seventeen midweek Premier League home fixtures and have won their last eight of those. They will also take confidence from the fact that West Ham have not recorded back to back wins at Old Trafford since 1934.
Despite losing four of the last five league meetings with West Ham, Manchester United can point to a much stronger long term record in this fixture. Prior to the recent dip, they had been beaten by the Irons only three times in twenty eight attempts. Amorim’s side had also won four consecutive home league games before the error strewn loss to Everton and they are favoured to get back on track at Old Trafford this week.
West Ham had put together a three match unbeaten run before their loss to Liverpool, but they remain only marginally above the relegation zone. Their away form is a major concern, with just one league victory on the road this season, a win at Nottingham Forest in August. They did win at Old Trafford in May, but the circumstances are very different this time with United building momentum and the Hammers struggling for consistency.
Both teams have been involved in high scoring encounters lately and both have scored in four of their last five matches. That trend could continue here, although the balance of form, fitness and squad depth points strongly towards a Manchester United victory. West Ham have seen all six of their Premier League away games fall within the two to four goals range and another challenging night on the road is expected.
As the pressure intensifies near the foot of the table, Thursday’s meeting carries huge significance for both clubs. United aim to stay within reach of the top four while West Ham desperately search for stability as they try to steer clear of the relegation zone. For Amorim and United, this feels like a crucial opportunity to strengthen their revival.
