logo
Home Previews

This Sunday, West Ham United will face Manchester United at home in the Premier League, with both sides eager for a victory to kickstart some crucial momentum.

John Gibson    Oct 27, 2024

Following what many deemed a disappointing season, West Ham made the decision over the summer to part ways with David Moyes. Moyes had been crucial in leading the club to one of their greatest accomplishments in recent history—a European trophy. In his place, the club appointed Julen Lopetegui, an experienced manager with a track record in both top-tier football and the Premier League. However, the appointment raised some eyebrows, as many questioned whether Lopetegui represented a real improvement over Moyes. Frustrations also mounted over the fact that Lopetegui was granted significant financial backing during the transfer window—something Moyes never received.

Yet, the anticipated turnaround under Lopetegui has yet to materialize. The team's results have been poor, and their performances even worse. West Ham have looked lackluster both in and out of possession, failing to live up to their potential. With just eight points from eight games, they currently sit five points clear of the relegation zone—a position many feel is far below what the squad should be achieving. On paper, the team has the quality to challenge for European football, but their play has been disjointed and they have struggled to assert themselves.

For Lopetegui, the upcoming clash with Manchester United is crucial. His tactics and approach are under increasing scrutiny, and there is a growing sense that if results don't improve, his position may be at risk. The board has given him the resources, and now it’s up to him to deliver performances that justify the investment.

Meanwhile, Manchester United arrives at the match facing their own struggles, a scenario that has become all too familiar for the 13-time Premier League champions. Despite moments of brilliance under Erik ten Hag, the team’s form has been inconsistent, leaving them only marginally ahead of West Ham in the standings—a far cry from the club’s usual expectations. Like West Ham, United have eight points, and their season is precariously close to being labeled another failure.

Ten Hag was brought in with a mandate to inject fresh ideas and elevate the team, but United continues to grapple with the mediocrity that has haunted them since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure over a decade ago. Their performances fluctuate between brief moments of quality and long stretches of uninspired play. Although the squad has flashes of potential, they are too often overshadowed by lethargic and lackluster displays.

As fans and pundits scrutinize Ten Hag’s progress, bigger questions about the club’s leadership and future direction are surfacing. Some now believe that the club missed an opportunity to make significant changes over the summer, instead opting to hold faith after an FA Cup final appearance that may have masked deeper issues. This has only added to the pressure on Ten Hag, who, like Lopetegui, faces the possibility that every match could influence his future at the club.

West Ham's recent form has been dismal, with only one win in their last five matches. Last weekend, they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite taking the lead through Mohammed Kudus, a second-half surge from Spurs saw West Ham concede three goals in just eight minutes. Prior to that, they recorded a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town, following a 1-1 draw against Brentford and back-to-back heavy defeats to Liverpool (5-1) and Chelsea (3-0).

Manchester United, on the other hand, recently managed a 1-1 draw away to Fenerbahçe in the Champions League, though their performance was underwhelming. Last weekend, they secured a 2-1 win over Brentford, thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund. This followed a goalless draw against Aston Villa and a 3-3 draw with Porto, which came after a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Heading into this encounter, West Ham are in poor form, having won just one of their last seven matches. Manchester United may not be at their best either, but they’ve lost only one of their last eight games and are fresh off a promising 2-1 win over Brentford. Additionally, United have a strong head-to-head record against West Ham, winning four of the last seven meetings. Given both teams’ recent defensive struggles, it’s likely that both sides will find the back of the net in this match.

Matchoutlook Prediction : BTTS (1-2)

Comment (0)
Share
Save

More Previews