Manchester United vs West Ham United - Premier League Preview
Premier League leaders Manchester United and the relegation battling West Ham United will lock horns on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at Upton Park. A win for United would help them stretch their lead at the top while a Hammers’ win could lead them up to the
twelfth spot.
West Ham United
West Ham are currently seventeenth in the League table with thirty two points and level on points with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are eighteenth in the table. Avram Grant would certainly want to register an unlikely win over the determined Red Devils which
will make sure that the Hammers move away from the drop zone. In their last five games, West Ham have registered three wins while their only loss came against Stoke City in the FA Cup on the 13th of March. One of their games against Tottenham Hotspur
ended in a 0-0 draw.
Manchester United
The Red Devils on the other hand are leading the Premier League flight with sixty three points and five points clear of the second placed Arsenal. A win at Upton Park could bring them one step closer to their nineteenth Premier League title. United have
registered Eighteen wins in the League so far and only four have come away from home. They have lost thrice in the League so far and all losses have also come away from home. Eight of their nine draws have also been while playing away. In their last five games,
United have registered three wins while they have lost to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 in their other two games.
Team News
West Ham United
The home side are expected to go in with a standard 4-4-2 formation. Carlton Cole is most likely to partner http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Victor-Obinna-c36080 upfront. Robert Green is set to guard the Hammers’ net. Midfielder Scott Parker is also expected to be included in the starting line-up
after complaining for a slight niggle in his shoulder and calf while he was on International duty. Striker Frederic Piquionne remains doubtful due to his toe injury.
Manchester United
The visitors are also expected to field in a 4-4-2 formation. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonny-Evans-c19085 will miss the game due to his three match suspension while
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Owen-Hargreaves-c28918, John O’Shea and Rafael would also miss the game due to various injuries.
Players to Watch
Hammers would be pinning high hopes upon their in-form and pacey striker Obinna who has eight goals so far this season. Parker would also be expected to play an influential role in the midfield if Hammers are to shock Sir Alex Ferguson’s army.
Manchester United will be really dependent upon their in-form Portuguese winger http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nani-c27299 who can use his pace and skills to dislodge any team’s defence. He has nine goals so far this season. Hernandez will also be expected to continue his goal scoring form.
The Mexican has ten league goals so far.
Prediction
Manchester United are clear favourites to win the encounter but might not find it easy, considering their away form this season. Nonetheless, Red Devils should come out as 2-0 winners on the night.
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