A lot has been made of West Ham’s improvement this season and rightly so. Sam Allardyce has overseen a dramatic transformation in a short space of time with the club moving away from being threatened with relegation to holding realistic hopes of finishing in the top six. They have been particularly impressive at home taking 25 points from a possible 36 at Upton Park. Strong home form is usually associated with an Allardyce team but the most pleasing aspect for Hammers fans is the style of play they have adopted this season – it’s been more pleasing on the eye and seems to have won the support over.
Although there has been plenty mentioned about how disappointing United have been at times this season, the Manchester club sit third in the table, five points behind second placed City. They were comfortable winners last weekend at home to Leicester before seeing off Cambridge United in their fourth round FA Cup replay. It is getting very congested from third to seventh place, with only five points separating United and Liverpool who occupy those positions, respectively. That leaves little margin for error in the fight to claim a Champions League spot for next season.
There are several reasons for the improvement in West Ham’s performances and results including having a fully fit Andy Carroll and a switch to a more attacking formation. The main one, however, is the extra quality that they have added to the squad giving them more options, particularly more threat going forward. It has removed the burden of goals from Carroll’s shoulders which has allowed him to flourish.
When everybody is fit at Old Trafford then it’s bound to pose a lot of problems for Louis Van Gaal. He seems to prefer playing with a back three but his players have taken a while to adapt to it and their attacking play lacks fluidity. It has resulted in him staring with a back four recently which gives his creative players more freedom in the attacking third. I expect him to opt for this again on Sunday which will make for an interesting match-up.
This should be a very decent game if both sides play to their strengths which are very much in their attacks. In home games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, both teams have scored and there has been over two goals. United have been slightly more pragmatic in recent weeks but Van Gaal prefers playing three at the back for a reason and if, as expected, he goes with four in defence, they will be more vulnerable to conceding. I really like the overs in this game.
Over 2.5 goals 19/20 @ Betfair
