Manchester United will seek to capitalize on their respectable Premier League result last weekend as they prepare for an early kickoff against West Ham on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils secured a commendable 0-0 draw at Liverpool, while David Moyes’ Hammers delivered a resounding 3-0 victory against Wolves in their recent league fixture.
However, West Ham’s confidence took a hit as they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the Carabao Cup midweek, prompting them to be eager for redemption following that challenging outcome.
Both Manchester United and West Ham have grappled with inconsistency in their recent performances. For instance, the Red Devils emerged victorious against Chelsea on 6 December, only to face a defeat from Bournemouth soon after.
Similarly, the Hammers secured a significant win away at Tottenham, only to endure a 5-0 thrashing by Fulham in West London.
Paul Merson, in his analysis on Sportskeeda, has forecasted a 2-2 draw between the two teams, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of their performances.
“This is quite the unpredictable game, isn’t it? You never quite know what to expect from either of these two sides,” wrote Merson.
“Consider West Ham, for instance. They have seen victories in European matches and against Tottenham, but then faced a heavy loss to Fulham in their subsequent fixture.
Following successful results against Freiburg and Wolves, they experienced a significant defeat to Liverpool in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
“I believe Manchester United delivered an impressive performance at Anfield last weekend. If Arsenal had produced a display similar to that at the Etihad, we would have been showering them with praise.
“The Hammers are capable of scoring goals, and I anticipate Manchester United will present their own challenges as well. Both of these teams have the potential to deliver exceptional or lackluster performances on any given day.
This match is truly challenging to predict, and I am inclined to forecast a draw.”
