Week 14 wraps up on Thursday night at Old Trafford, where Manchester United look to continue their steady climb under Rubén Amorim as West Ham make the trip north.
United’s recent surge has been one of their most convincing spells of the campaign, particularly at home, and they’ll see this as another chance to build momentum heading into December. West Ham arrive in a far more uncertain place, still searching for consistency and burdened by a difficult week off the pitch, and their away form offers little comfort. Here are my thoughts on the matchup, along with a bet worth considering.
Before we dive into Thursday’s preview, it’s worth taking a step back to look at the outright market. Arsenal remain clear favourites for the title at 49/100, with Manchester City their closest challengers at 3/1. Chelsea have moved into third at 12/1, while last season’s champions, Liverpool, sit further back at 16/1. The rest of the field are priced at 66/1 and above.
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MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST HAM – Click here to bet
Manchester United head into Thursday’s standalone fixture looking to build on Sunday’s 2–1 win away to Crystal Palace, a result that capped off their strongest spell of the season across October and November. That victory lifted Rubén Amorim’s side to seventh with 21 points from 13 matches (W6 D3 L4), and with a favourable run of fixtures ahead, United will sense an opportunity to push closer to the European places heading into December.
At Old Trafford, the Red Devils have resembled a far more assertive outfit, winning four of their six league matches at home and collecting 12 points from a possible 18. Their only setbacks came against Arsenal and, more disappointingly, Everton in a 1–0 defeat that halted a four-match winning run. Still, with 11 goals scored and seven conceded at home, United have generally looked purposeful, and Amorim will expect his team to rediscover that sharper edge under the lights this week.
West Ham make the trip north following an emotionally difficult weekend after the passing of club legend Billy Bonds. Unfortunately, the sombre mood seemed to carry onto the pitch as Nuno Espírito Santo’s men slipped to a 2–0 defeat at home to Liverpool, a match they would have quietly targeted given the Reds’ struggles this season. That loss leaves the Hammers in 17th on 11 points from 13 matches, with just three league wins to their name and pressure beginning to mount as they hover above the relegation line on goal difference.
Away from home, West Ham’s struggles have mirrored their home inconsistencies. With just five points earned on the road, their only victory came via a surprise 3–0 win at Nottingham Forest. Beyond that, they have posted two draws and three defeats, and they enter this fixture on a four-match winless run away from home. Defensive frailties have been a key issue, excluding the Forest win, they have conceded in all five remaining away matches, allowing at least two goals in four of those outings. It has been a tough stretch for the Irons, and recent performances offer little encouragement heading into a difficult trip.
Head-to-Head
Last season West Ham completed a league double over United, winning 2–1 at home before a 2–0 victory at Old Trafford. That result ended United’s four-match winning streak over the Irons at home. Recent meetings have tended to be cautious affairs, five of the last six league clashes at Old Trafford produced two goals or fewer between these two, with only one side scoring in five of those games.
Betting
Manchester United 47/100
Draw 4/1
West Ham 21/4
Verdict
United look well-placed here. Their performance against Everton in their last home outing deserved more, and Amorim will expect a much sharper showing this time around. West Ham may have won at Old Trafford last season, but with defensive frailties and poor away form this term, it’s hard to make a strong case for the visitors. United should have enough quality to secure all three points, possibly by a couple of goals.
Suggested Bet: Manchester United to win & Over 1.5 goals at 67/100
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
