Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Manchester United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Saturday evening, with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side looking to re-inject some momentum into a Premier League campaign which has stalled somewhat in recent weeks. The Red Devils head into the game on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek. They were also beaten 1-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend in the Premier League, and have slipped to sixth in the table.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Hammers are looking to complete a league double over the Red Devils for the first time since the 2006/07 season. The east Londoners have not been great on the road this season, though, and have lost six of their last seven Premier League games, failing to score in each of those defeats.
Manchester United vs West Ham Prediction: Red Devils 2-1 Hammers
Our prediction for this game is that the home side will win a close game narrowly, with both teams looking likely to score. Our feeling is that United will want to overhaul Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in the hunt for a top-four finish, and that will give them the edge in terms of motivation. They will not find it easy to win, though, and could be in for a real battle, with the Hammers having the incentive of achieving a rare league double over the Mancunian outfit. It could be a late goal that ends up settling the game.
Our recommended tip: Manchester, both score
Our featured tip for this game comes from Coral, who are offering odds of 7/4 on Manchester United to win and both teams to score. This looks a good bet to us, especially as it matches our prediction of a 2-1 home win perfectly. West Ham are nobody’s mugs this season, and have already beaten the Red Devils once in 2018/19. The home side will be desperate for three points after slipping down the table in recent weeks, though, and this extra motivation should take them home against the Hammers. They will have to work hard to do it, though.
Previous matches
These two sides have met on 45 previous occasions in the Premier League. Out of those games, Manchester United have won 27, with 18 of those victories coming at Old Trafford. The Hammers have beaten the Red Devils six times in the Premier League, and have won just twice at Old Trafford. There have been 12 draws between the teams in the Premier League.
The most recent meeting between the teams was earlier this season at the London Stadium, in the Premier League in late September. West Ham won the game 3-1, with the goals coming from Felipe Anderson, a Victor Lindelof own goal, and Marko Arnautovic.
Top 3 Premier League Bookies
Players to watch: Romelu Lukaku & Declan Rice
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has scored six goals in his last five home Premier League matches against the Hammers. That makes the Belgian a man to watch for the Hammers defenders this weekend, despite the player not having been in the greatest form in recent games. Despite a patchy season, though, Lukaku is United’s top league scorer this season, having netted 12 goals in 28 Premier League appearances in 2018/19.
Declan Rice recently made his debut for England, after controversially transferring his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland. The controversy has taken some of the focus off the midfielder’s actual playing ability. He is West Ham’s top tackler this season, having made 85 Premier League tackles in his 29 appearances. Those tackles have a success rate of 60%. In attack, Rice has contributed two goals, and has also created two big chances for his team-mates.
