West Ham United vs Manchester United
This is a fixture particularly in the Premier League era which has brought out the very best and very worst in Manchester United.
Almost always met with a hostile reception in East London, the atmosphere is rarely far from electric and that has had a direct impact on events on the pitch.
For example, there was the time in 1995 when Ludek Miklosko was almost a one-man repellent in goal to stop United retaining the title.
It was a vicious reception that David Beckham received shortly after the 1998 World Cup when England’s tournament ended in his dismissal and the country decided to blame Becks.
Even before the advent of the Premier League, West Ham may have been relegated but took great delight in beating United in a key end-of-season encounter in the old First Division in 1992.
There have also been wonderful moments for United incidentally, including a special Beckham goal in a 5-3 success in 2002, a fine Rooney moment from the halfway line in 2014, and other key success stories amid the hostility.
Perhaps it all stems from Paul Ince’s departure from the East End of London to Manchester in 1989 when the player was foolishly pictured wearing a United shirt before his transfer had been finalised.
That may be history, but overall, many have not forgotten that incident and this clash is rarely for the faint-hearted.
Sunday should be no exception.
Talking Points
Both clubs come into the encounter on the back of European trips in midweek.
Writing before their Europa League tie in Zagreb, West Ham’s main news surrounds the absence of top scorer Michail Antonio.
The pacy and powerful centre-forward collected a one-game suspension after picking up two yellow cards in a goalless draw at Southampton last weekend.
It means boss David Moyes will not be able to name an unchanged line-up but he has recent signings Kurt Zouma, Alex Kral, and Nikola Vlasic waiting in the wings to start while centre-back Winston Reid is still sidelined.
United will be looking to respond to their Champions League disappointment against Young Boys of Switzerland.
The Red Devils sit at the league summit on goal difference after accruing 10 points from their first four games, although the ‘East Enders’ have also made an unbeaten opening to the campaign and lie in eighth spot.
For the visitors, Edinson Cavani remains a doubt with the Uruguayan marksman expected to be out for around a week while midfielder Scott McTominay is another who has been sidelined.
Given the history of hostility between the sides, it will be interesting to see what reception Jesse Lingard receives following his starring role on loan at West Ham last season.
The England man has had a mixed week so far, netting in a United success over Newcastle before his late mistake cost United dearly in Europe.
Whether he starts or is again a substitute, he deserves a warm welcome despite the historic hostility.
History
Overall, United have 69 victories in their clashes compared to West Ham’s 45 with a further 32 draws.
West Ham enjoyed successive 2-0 victories in this fixture until last season when, after being second best for an hour, United won in East London in early December as they came from a goal behind to score three times in 13 minutes – a game which was notable as the first in more than nine months in which spectators had been allowed into a Premier League match.
Indeed, United saw off the Hammers three times last season. They edged out the Hammers in the fifth round of the FA Cup, although they required extra-time before McTominay produced the decisive moment.
An own goal – although McTominay played a part again – saw United edged out the return league fixture.
Betting Tip
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West Ham United vs Manchester United | Manchester United First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.51 |
| September 19, 21:00 (GMT+8) |
The law of averages suggest West Ham are due a positive result against United but the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds don’t suggest that.
You can back the Hammers with Asian Handicap odds +0.50 @ 2.16 and 1X2 @ 4.00 and the draw is on offer @ 3.85.
United, by contrast, are available to tip 1X2 @ 1.79 and Asian Handicap – 1.00 @ 2.36.
A contest which has generally produced goals, there are a range of bets to consider, including over 3.00 goals @ 2.12, total goal 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 2.93.
A re-run of last season’s encounter – correct score 1-3 – will pay out @ 12.00.
I am going to lean towards the visitors to get their fourth victory of the 2021/22 Premier League season.
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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