Manchester United vs West Ham United Predictions

• Three of the last four Man Utd home games have not seen a fourth goal
• Under 3.5 goals have been scored in five of West Ham’s last six away league contests
• Nine of the last 10 head-to-head clashes have featured fewer than four goals

Something still amiss for West Ham

West Ham did the league double over Manchester United last season, but their form ahead of Thursday’s trip to Old Trafford suggests this might not yield a much-needed three points to the visitors.

The Hammers’ bid to drag themselves clear of a relegation battle was boosted by back-to-back home wins in early November, but they have failed to fully click in either clash following the international break.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were pegged back from 2-0 up away at Bournemouth after he replaced two-goal striker Calum Wilson and they then served up a pre-Christmas turkey of a performance at home to Liverpool, failing to register a shot on target in a 2-0 home loss. Clearly, something is still amiss and to make matters worse, they will now be without key attacker Lucas Pacqueta for at least one game – possibly more.

Nuno must take note of Moyes’ blueprint

The Brazilian’s sarcastic clap after he received his second yellow card in the space of a minute on Sunday could see the authorities extend his festive break from first-team football. Pacqueta is second only to Jarrod Bowen in terms of attacking influence on the side and his presence will be greatly missed in Manchester.

It is now six games out of seven that West Ham have conceded exactly two goals and they will be determined to dig in on Thursday, perhaps following Everton’s blueprint to victory at Old Trafford.

Ex-Hammers boss David Moyes found a way to nullify a United side that had been good for a few goals at home until the Toffees’ 1-0 win there just over a week ago. The Red Devils bounced back with a 2-1 win at a tired Crystal Palace on Sunday, but they are not going to have a rest advantage on West Ham here.

Mbeumo still knocking on the door

Consequently, this could be more of a grind for Ruben Amorim’s side, whose attacking numners have dropped off since injuries to Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian could be back after a head injury, but that is by no means certain and that could mean Amorim deploys Joshua Zirkzee up top again.

The Dutchman ended a year-long Premier League goal drought at the weekend, but still looks more likely to fall over than put the ball in the back of the net. Bryan Mbeumo remains the Red Devils’ top scorer, and he has been regularly hitting the target even though he has scored only one in his last four starts.

The markets are expecting a goal frenzy in this one, but the head-to-head history and recent trends indicate there is unlikely to be a fourth successful strike. Back United to edge it 2-1 so long as Cunha plays some part with the main recommendation being for the match not to feature any more than three goals.