Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
On Thursday, Manchester United faced a tough away encounter against Fenerbahçe (1:1). The players will undoubtedly be feeling fatigued, given that the team's squad is less than optimal. Will West Ham United capitalise on this?
West Ham United
West Ham United had a disappointing performance in the London derby, with Tottenham Hotspur scoring twice as many goals as expected (4 goals with 1.92 xGA). Additionally, the third goal conceded was an own goal by Alphonse Areola. Ultimately, tensions boiled over into chaos provoked by Mohammed Kudus, who rightfully received a red card for striking an opponent and inciting further conflict between the teams. Besides the absence of the Ghanaian midfielder, West Ham only have one other significant loss: Niclas Füllkrug, who hasn’t been on the pitch for a while.
Manchester United
Manchester United’s injury situation is notably worse, with an abundance of setbacks. While some players have recovered, others like Leni Yoro and Luke Shaw have been sidelined since the start of the season. Defensive losses have increased, with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans out, the latter having played against Brentford just a week ago. Evans might return for the upcoming match, as might Mason Mount, but Kobbie Mainoo is definitely still out, needing another month to recover from a thigh injury. Against Fenerbahçe, Noussair Mazraoui had to plug a gap in midfield, despite being a right-back by trade. With ongoing defensive issues, Manchester United's backline remains vulnerable.
West Ham United vs Manchester United Prediction
It will be challenging for Manchester United's defence: West Ham United have scored against every opponent except Chelsea. They are also adept at conceding, only keeping a clean sheet against Crystal Palace. Matches involving Manchester United have been thrilling as well, with over two goals scored in three of their last five encounters. We think betting on this is the way to go.
