West Ham vs Manchester United tips and predictions: Inconsistent sides to play out thrilling draw
West Ham's Jarrod Bowen
It's seventh versus eighth in Saturday's early kick-off as West Ham United take on Manchester United (1230GMT), with both sides looking to find some consistency.
David Moyes' men have been one of the Premier League's most unpredictable sides in recent weeks, with results varying from a 5-0 defeat at Fulham to a 2-1 victory at Tottenham.
It has made the Irons one of the most watchable teams in the league for the neutral, as their matches have offered up a mixture of entertainment and unpredictability.
Meanwhile, Man United's league form has been up and down like a yo-yo in December, with the impressive draw at Liverpool and the humbling at home to Bournemouth epitomising that.
Despite the result at Anfield last weekend, Erik ten Hag's men were toothless in attack and offered up plenty of chances at the back.
Much has been made of Man United's away form in recent times. They have not won on the road to a team that have started the day in the top nine since Ten Hag took over in summer 2022.
However, the clean sheet at Liverpool will have given Ten Hag hope that his side's troubles on the road are nearing an end, with the makeshift centre-half paring of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane combining well to secure a sixth clean sheet of the season for Man United, a total only bettered by Newcastle United and Arsenal.
Having a solid backline is one thing, but goals are the currency that you need to win matches and the Red Devils have only scored 18 goals in 17 games this season.
Meanwhile, West Ham have have found the back of the net in 15 out of their 17 games this season, but their defence has been leaky and they've conceded 30 goals this term, with only the newly promoted sides conceding more.
The Irons' form in front of goal has been largely down to the form of Jarrod Bowen, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, and more recently Mohammed Kudus, who has found the back of the net in his last three home games across all competitions.
Therefore, both look like good options in the goals market in a match that is bound to provide entertainment.
Both sides' form has been up and down in the league this season and this could be set to continue as a draw looks like the best bet.
Team News:
West Ham's Michail Antonio remains out with a knee injury.
Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet have been suffering from an illness and their availability will be subject to a late fitness test.
Manchester United will be wthout Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount as they are all ruled out through injury.
Diogo Dalot will miss out through suspension after his red card at Liverpool, while Bruno Fernandes returns from suspension after he missed last weekend's trip to Anfield due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Key stats:
- Man United have only scored in one of their last four league games
- Man United have won seven out of the last 10 encounters between these two sides, but West Ham won the most recent match, a 1-0 win in May 2023
- West Ham have conceded 30 goals this season, only Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United have conceded more
- West Ham have scored in 15 of their 17 outings this season
