Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United take on Louis van Gaal’s Manchester united for a crunch match later today. Both teams would be looking for a win to end their season on a high.
The Hammers would be seeking another win against the big boys of the Premier League with victories against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Southampton already in the bag. They are the giant killers of this season in the truest sense.
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The Red Devils, however, have their own agenda of qualifying for the Champions League this season. They’ve had a pretty dull season to begin with, which only worsened by their dismal Champions League campaign which ended before it could take full flight.
United were then relegated to the Europa League for which they were one of the favourites before losing out to Liverpool in the Round of 16 tie. So, this match has a lot of importance for both the managers. A victory would make LVG’s life a lot easier and would dissipate some of the pressure off his head.
West Ham also would like to bounce back from their uncharacteristic defeat to Swansea at the weekend and secure their European dream for next season.This match also has a special significance in West Ham’s history as this is the last game they will play in their long-standing home at Upton Park (or Bowlen Ground as they call it). They are moving out to the newly built state of the art Olympic Stadium.
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Team News
West Ham United
West Ham United will be without their main goalkeeper Adrian, who remains to be the only absentee from the team. He will be replaced by Darren Randolph as the man between the sticks.
Manager Slaven Bilic was quoted saying "It's a big game for a couple of reasons and one of them is that this is the last game ever at Upton Park. Then, if you add to that it's a very important game for us and for Manchester United, as both teams need to win the game, it makes it mega-big!
"It's a special one and a once-in-a-lifetime kind of game. It's going to be emotional but we have to channel those emotions to be our motivator in order to win.
"One part of me is happy we are moving forward with more capacity and everything, but another part of me will miss this special kind of stadium. It's like a home."
Manchester United
Manchester United have been without Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luke Shaw for quite some time now and that’s how it will be today also. Striker Anthony Martial is on the doubt list due to a tight hamstring.
Matteo Darmian will be out of this fixture due to an injury he picked up last match against Norwich City. Marouane Fellaini is suspended after he elbowed Robert Huth in their game against Leicester City.
The under-fire Manchester United boss was quoted saying "We have to win our matches because otherwise we cannot be in the first four - that's the pressure that we have. We have to fight until the end.
"West Ham are a very good team - it's not for nothing they're in the top six of the table. We were lucky in the FA Cup. I think we deserved to win but we were lucky West Ham had a goal disallowed in the last minute."
Also Read: Reports: Ryan Giggs will leave Manchester United if Jose Mourinho is appointed manager.
Recent Form
West ham United go into this week’s clash with a shock 4-1 home loss to Swansea City. Before that, they won two consecutive games against West Bromwich Albion and Watford. They drew the two matches before that against Champions Leicester City and Arsenal.
Last 5 matches D-D-W-W-L (Last match West Ham 1-4 Swansea City)
Manchester United go into this game in good form. They had won 4 games on the trot before drawing to Champions Leicester City at home. They returned to winning ways last week when they beat Norwich City by a solitary Juan Mata goal.
Last 5 matches W-W-W-D-W (Last match Norwich City 0-1 Manchester United)
Probable starting line-ups
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Randolph; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Kouyate, Noble; Moses, Payet, Lanzini; Carroll.
Manchester United (4-5-1): De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Jackson; Carrick; Mata, Rooney, Lingard, Depay; Rashford.
Key Battles
Marcus Rashford vs Ogbonna
Marcus Rashford’s emergence has been probably the biggest positive for Manchester United this season. The young winger broke the record of being the youngest player to score in all European Competitions since United Legend George Best.
He has had quite a prolific season considering he just made his senior debut. It would be interesting to see him play against Ogbonna, who is typically known for his physical strength. He is a centre back with pace and technique.
Dimitri Payet vs Antonio Valencia
Payet has been a revelation this season. The Frenchman is a player with insane flair and skill, who also has an eye for goal. He is an excellent free-kick taker, so the United defence should be careful to not give away too many fouls, because the ex-Marseille man is not one to miss too often.
Payet is quick, so his resolution will be tested against Valencia, who is a beast when he’s on the top of his game. So, it will be an interesting battle by the touchline.
Prediction
This is going to be an excellent albeit tight game of football. Both teams would look to play their A-game today and they have no room for error. Both have reasons to win this, which has to be a driving factor to having an intense game of football.
With both teams going to be careful not to concede too many goals and yet try to score, the game should end at 1-1.
Betting odds
West Ham United win: 2/1
Draw: 5/2
Manchester United win: 29/20
