Two sides in desperate need of points, although for very different reasons, will square off in a crucial Premier League match on Sunday evening, with Manchester United travelling to West Ham United.
Man United are fourth in the Premier League table, four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, while West Ham are 15th, four points above the relegation zone.
West Ham had seven points from three league games against Fulham, Arsenal, and Bournemouth between April 8 and April 23, but three consecutive losses against Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Manchester City had them firmly back in the fight.
The Hammers lost a seven-goal thriller at Palace last weekend before falling 3-0 to champions Manchester City on Wednesday evening, putting them in 15th position in the standings, four points clear of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
David Moyes’ side will face Manchester United (H), Brentford (A), Leeds United (H), and Leicester City (A) in their final four league games, but they are also in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, hosting AZ Alkmaar for the first leg of their last-four match next Thursday.
West Ham cannot afford to lose focus in the league, as losses in their next two games would put tremendous strain on them going into games against Leeds and Leicester, both of whom are fighting to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Moyes’ team has just 22 points from 17 home league games this season, but will take heart from the reality that Man United have lost seven times on the road in England’s top division this season, including at Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday.
Man United seemed to have settled for a draw against Brighton at the Amex, but the Seagulls had other plans, pressing for a winner. A late Luke Shaw foul inside the penalty box gave the hosts the opportunity to win it from the spot, and Alexis Mac Allister scored his spot shot in the 99th minute, sparking wild celebrations within the stadium.
Erik ten Hag’s side is still in a strong position to finish in the top four, sitting fourth in the table, four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with an opponent in hand, but another defeat in this match would leave them extremely vulnerable, especially given that the gap could be cut to one point on Saturday, when Liverpool hosts Brentford.
Fans will be hoping for a comeback from the Red Devils on Sunday at the London Stadium in anticipation of their last four league games of the year against Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Bournemouth (A), Chelsea (H), and Fulham (H). The Red Devils have a history of recovering from big losses.
Man United, who will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at the start of June, have been brilliant at Old Trafford this season, picking up 39 points from 16 matches and losing just one, but their away form in the league has been a major issue, with the club winning just one of their last five.
The 20-time English champions have won their past three meetings with West Ham, including two this season, defeating the Hammers 1-0 at Old Trafford in the league in October and 3-1 in the FA Cup at the start of March.
Team News- Manchester United
Meanwhile, Manchester United might welcome Alejandro Garnacho to their squad for this encounter, as the brilliant youth has returned to first-team training after recovering from an ankle injury.
Lisandro Martinez, Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay, Raphael Varane, and Tom Heaton, on the other hand, are still unavailable for selection for the 20-time English champions.
Ten Hag is anticipated to make changes to the starting lineup that faced Brighton, with Jadon Sancho and Christian Eriksen perhaps swapping Anthony Martial and Fred, while Marcel Sabitzer will also be considered for a midfield position.
Team News- West Ham United
West Ham will be hoping to regain the services of Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, and Nayef Aguerd, who were all missing against Manchester City due to sickness.
However, Vladimir Coufal strained his hamstring versus the Citizens and will be out, while Gianluca Scamacca and Kurt Zouma are both out to face Ten Hag’s side.
There will be changes from the team that began at the Etihad Stadium, with Rice, Soucek, and Aguerd all expected to return, with Said Benrahma perhaps replacing Pablo Fornals in an offensive role.
Predictions-
West Ham United 2-2 Manchester United
