Premier League: Manchester United vs West Ham match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Danny Welbeck celebrates after opening the scoring for Manchester United (REUTERS)

Both David Moyes and Sam Allardyce saw their sides march into the Capital One Cup semi-finals this week, with impressive performances seeing off Stoke City and Tottenham respectively. However, both managers will agree that their upmost priority is winning games in the Premier League.

Away to Aston Villa last week, Manchester United were able to get their league campaign back on track with a dominant 3-0 win. Danny Welbeck scored two on the afternoon, ending his goalscoring drought in the league; the last of his goals came at Swansea on the opening day of the season, where he bagged a brace. He will be looking to continue this form in the absence of Robin van Persie who remains on the injury list.

West Ham, who haven’t won away from home in the league since their impressive display at White Hart Lane in early October, will take some encouragement from their cup victory in midweek and look to take points off a Manchester United side that clearly haven’t been at their best so far.

Moyes is likely to start Welbeck while Javier Hernandez could also be kept in the side. Allardyce may look to field a similar side to the one that played in the cup, and should welcome the return of James Tomkins to defence. 

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

West Ham 2 (Vaz Te, Diame) Manchester United 2 (Valencia, Van Persie), Premier League, April 2013.

Manchester United 1 (Rooney) West Ham 0, FA Cup, Jan 2013.

West Ham 2 (Collins x2) Manchester United (Cleverley, Van Persie) 2, FA Cup, Jan 2013.

HEAD TO HEAD:

Manchester United wins: 58

Draws: 26

West Ham wins: 42

STATS:

Manchester United:

Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney have scored 15 goals between them in the Premier League this season but both are out of this fixture due to injuries.

United currently sit 8 in the league table, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Man United have won each of their last 8 home games against bottom-six clubs.

West Ham United:

The Hammers have failed to score in 6 of their last 8 Premier League games this season.

They are only one point above the drop zone after 16 games, after securing just 2 wins in their last 10 outings.

Their stand-out player this season has been ex-Manchester United graduate Ravel Morrison, who is also their top scorer on 5 goals.

ODDS:

Manchester United to win: 1.33

Draw: 4.8

West Ham United to win: 10.0

TV:  Highlights on BBC1 MOTD at 10.20pm.