West Ham v Man Utd predictions: Hammers could leave Red Devils unhappy

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Ham v Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

West Ham or draw double chance
1pt 21-20 BoyleSports, Hills

Team news

West Ham
Michail Antonio serves a one-match ban and Said Benrahma is a major doubt.

Manchester Utd
Scott McTominay is a doubt while Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Alex Telles remain sidelined.

Match preview

West Ham extended their unbeaten sequence to eight with a superb 2-0 success away to Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday and they can cap off a fine week against Manchester United at the London Stadium.

The short turnaround is far from ideal for the Hammers, who are without suspended centre-forward Michail Antonio, but they are usually a tough proposition on home soil and can offer a stern test to United, who look poor value at odds-on for victory.

United reached the Premier League summit after last Saturday's 4-1 success at home to Newcastle and are reaping the rewards of their reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored three goals in two appearances.

However, even Ronaldo was unable to save them from a dispiriting 2-1 loss away to Young Boys on Tuesday which has put them in a tricky situation in Champions League Group F.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka's 35th-minute red card had a major influence on the midweek defeat but United hadn't been playing particularly well with 11 players on the pitch and the final shot count – 19 to two in Young Boys' favour – was an indication of the home team's dominance.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was cautious with his substitutions – which included the replacement of Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes – and needs to show more ambition if he is to keep the fans happy.

With Ronaldo on board, United are expected to deliver a serious title challenge but that will only be possible if they play with attacking intent in every game.

Ronaldo could be among the league's top scorers but there are doubts over the supporting cast, with Mason Greenwood looking less effective when used out wide and Jadon Sancho making an uncertain start to his United career.

And United have not looked watertight in defence with David De Gea having to make big saves in the 1-1 draw at Southampton and the 1-0 success at Wolves

De Gea could be set for another busy afternoon because West Ham, even without Antonio, will pose a threat.

David Moyes has built a strong squad in anticipation of extra European games and was able to make five changes for the trip to Zagreb without noticing any discernible drop in performance.

West Ham will have to play more of a possession-based style without Antonio but they have clever attacking players in Nikola Vlasic, Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals, who are all capable of delivering a killer pass.

A few eyebrows were raised after the Hammers finished sixth last term but they are determined to be just as successful in 2021-22 and a decent result against United can maintain their excellent start to the season.

Key stat

West Ham are unbeaten in their last eight matches

Inside info

West Ham

Penalty taker Mark Noble
Free-kick wizard Aaron Cresswell
Aerial set piece threat Tomas Soucek
Card magnet Tomas Soucek

Manchester United

Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo/Bruno Fernandes
Free-kick wizard Bruno Fernandes
Aerial set piece threat Harry Maguire
Card magnet Harry Maguire

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