Manchester United vs West Ham United
The race for the Premier League top four and the lucrative carrot of Champions League football next term could hardly be any closer.
And it is to that backdrop that Manchester United host West Ham in the final league game of the 2019-20 season at Old Trafford.
The ground has produced plenty of Premier League highlights for the Red Devils this term but now, more than ever, they need some more as they take on a West Ham side all but safe after seeing off Watford.
Does that mean the Hammers will travel with their minds on a summer break (albeit a shortened one) or, with the pressure off, will they attempt to turn on the style and wreck United’s European hopes?
Talking Points
All eyes will be on United as they look to bounce back following their first defeat in 20 matches in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.
All eyes will also be on David De Gea, superb at Crystal Palace last Thursday, but a player who needs to find form after showing all too often during the past 18 months fallibility which came to a head at Wembley.
Indeed, it has been suggested that the De Gea who came back from the World Cup in Russia two years ago was not the same keeper who went.
He will surely keep his place, however, for the final two league games of the season with intriguing permutations.
United, of course, still have to travel to Leicester on the final day of the season and, given that goal difference could end up being key, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want a big performance – and a big win.
Incredibly, his side will qualify for a Champions League place if they draw their remaining two games.
But if they win against the Hammers and lose the last, despite that resulting in MORE points, they could miss out.
That’s not a scenario you see very often.
On the team news front, Eric Bailly is almost certainly out after leaving the pitch on a stretcher in a neck brace with suspected concussion after a collision against Chelsea on Sunday.
Also in defence, Luke Shaw is a doubt with an ankle injury, while Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are missing.
As for West Ham, Robert Snodgrass is a doubt, while Ryan Fredericks is still sidelined.
They still have competitors though who will want to put on a show and, in Moyes, a manager who endured a miserable time during his 10 months in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Wouldn’t he love this moment to really hurt the club where he believes he was never given a chance?
History
When these clubs met in August two years ago there was a genuine air of excitement that United were ready to mount a title challenge after a successful first season with Jose Mourinho at the helm.
It showed in the performance too as United romped to a 4-0 opening weekend of the season victory, courtesy of goals from debutant Romelu Lukaku (two), Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial.
The goalless draw the sides paid played out in London in the penultimate league game of the season last May confirmed United in the runners-up spot.
Last season, though, was very different as West Ham triumphed 3-1 at home and then, with Mourinho gone, lost narrowly at Old Trafford in a game they deserved something from.
Since beating the Red Devils in September, West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has also been replaced by one-time United boss David Moyes.
United are unbeaten in the last 11 meetings with the Hammers at Old Trafford, winning nine and drawing two.
West Ham last won at Old Trafford in May 2007 when a certain Carlos Tevez scored the goal to keep the Hammers up against the already crowned league champions.
Overall, United have 66 victories in their clashes to West Ham’s 45 with a further 31 draws.
Betting Tip
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Manchester United vs West Ham United | Manchester United First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.00 |
| July 23, 01:00 (GMT+8) |
Despite their lacklustre showing in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, United are firm favourites with the SBOBET Premier League betting odds.
They are priced 1X2 @ 1.26 with West Ham out @ 9.00, a price many of their supporters will feel is worth a punt.
Likewise, the draw is on offer @ 6.00.
With Asian Handicap odds, United can be backed -2.00 @ 2.33 and the Hammers +1.50 @ 2.19.
A repeat of last season’s scoreline – correct score 2-1 – is available @ 8.50.
I am going to opt for United to lead from the front.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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