Tuesday 10th May 2016 Kickoff 1945hrs
West Ham United v Manchester United
Football – Premier League – England
It will be an emotional night at Upton Park on Tuesday as West Ham and their supporters prepare to say goodbye to what has been their home ground for over 100 years. That should be more than enough motivation as they prepare to face a Manchester United so who will be aiming to spoil the farewell party with Louis Van Gaal’s men needing to win their last two games in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
In what has been a very successful season overall for West Ham and Slaven Bilic who is coming end to his first campaign as the club’s manager. A win on Tuesday night would not only be the perfect way to say goodbye to a stadium which has played host to some of the best talent English football has had to offer, but it would also see them leapfrog Southampton into sixth place and put them just a point behind tomorrow’s opponents. Bilic’s only real regret was the disappointing 4-1 defeat at home to Swansea on Saturday as it all but ended their quest to finish in the top four. There’s no time to feel sorry for themselves, however, and when you put it into context, it’s a sign of how far the club have progressed in such a short space of time that not having a chance to finish in the fourth and final Champions League spot would be seen as anything but a huge achievement for a team who have never been in contention for that achievement. European football remains a distinct possibility as well, of course, as sixth spot would be enough to play in the Europa League should Manchester United win the FA Cup.
As weekends go, the one just past was a pretty good one for all concerned at Manchester United. Not only did they managed to scrape a 1-0 win away to Norwich, but their big rivals for fourth spot – Manchester City – dropped two vital points at home to Arsenal a little over 24 hours later. Those two results mean that if United can win against West Ham on Tuesday and follow it up with another three points at home to Bournemouth on Sunday then they will once again qualify for Europe’s elite competition. That has not always looked likely this term, as the team and manager have both come in for a lot of criticism for failing to progress from last season’s fourth place finish. Whether or not qualification for the Champions League and a win in the FA Cup would be deemed a success by the supporters and the club’s board is another question, but it would certainly be better than what looked probable only a couple of months ago. Whatever happens between now and the end of this campaign you can be sure to expect whoever is in charge to receive another substantial transfer budget as they bid to become title challengers once again.
Following Saturday’s defeat, it is now only two wins in West Ham’s last seven league games and it will be that run which sees the Hammers fall just short of the top four. Four successive draws in March and April would have been especially frustrating, particularly as they were ahead in all four matches but were unable to close the games out. That’s probably something that Bilic will look at in the close season as the club prepare to make the move to the Olympic Stadium. With the arrival of Dmitri Payet last summer, West Ham have been even more impressive in attack despite a number of injuries to key strikers, but there is still room for improvement in defence. The 47 goals conceded is the most of any side in the top eight and having been a centre half himself, the manager will be extremely keen to ensure they become more solid in the new season. A strong showing in the last couple of games would be most welcome, of course.
The win over Norwich means United have now won five of their last six games in all competitions. It’s their best run of the season and one that could well yet see them achieve their main aim of playing Champions League football next season. It was also their 13th time where they have won a game and kept a clean sheet – and that’s just the league. A record like that illustrates how good they have been in defence but when you factor in they have only scored 44 goals in the Premier League (the lowest of any team in the top nine), it has come at a cost, which is how it has hindered their attacking play. Van Gaal will make no apologies for that, though, and if he ends up getting them to the Champions League for the second consecutive season he will feel justified.
West Ham United v Manchester United Betting Tips
This will be the fourth time this season these two clubs have met having been drawn together in the FA Cup quarter-final – a game that ended up going to a replay. There has been very little in any of the games, with United just edging the replay 2-1 whilst the first league meeting was a goalless draw. I think we can expect to see the same on Tuesday with both teams wanting the three points but for very different reasons. Although United eventually saw off the challenge of Norwich on Saturday, there were more than a few opportunities for the home side who were unable to take advantage. It’s difficult to know what to make of West Ham’s hammering from Swansea – it was their first defeat since February and their first at home since August.
It’s going to be an excellent atmosphere in what is one of the most traditional grounds in English football. West Ham have been more than a match for United in their three previous meetings and despite the visitors being in good winning form, they remain a team who fail to inspire confidence so I certainly would not be rushing to back them. I would hope the home team have a reaction in them following their poor performance against Swans on Saturday and think they are worth backing to spring something of a surprise and put a massive dent in United’s Champions League hopes.
West Ham 13/5 @ Betfred
