Premier League: Top Four Hopefuls in the Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United vs West Ham United

On Saturday, Manchester United meet West Ham for the third time this season. It’s 1-1 at the moment and the decider could go a long way to deciding their Premier League destinies in the 2021/22 campaign.

With Manchester City running away with the title and Liverpool and Chelsea holding a tight grip on the second and third places, the final Champions League spot is like gold dust since it’s the position at least four clubs are fighting over.

West Ham are currently in fourth and Manchester United in seventh with the two North London clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham, sandwiched between. The Hammers have played more games than their rivals having successfully dodged most of the COVID-19 postponements while Spurs have the most games in hand.

But there’s a huge prize to play for and all four of these teams will believe they can grab that golden ticket. And games like this are crucial as both teams have a chance to damage a rival and momentum is a vital trait in the run-in.

This is a great match for neutral SBOTOP football fans to enjoy, but it could be a nail-biter for the Red Devils and the Hammers.            

Talking Points

Ralf needs a hero

Since Ralf Rangnick took over the reigns at Old Trafford on 29^th November, he enjoyed a honeymoon of sorts with a thrilling 3-2 win over Arsenal and solid 1-0 victories over Crystal Palace and Norwich.

But the Red Devils fans want more than ground out victories since they want to win in style, and draws with Young Boys and Newcastle United started the grumbling which grew to a crescendo after a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Wolves.

Manchester United looked more like their old selves last week in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa as Bruno Fernades scored a brace, and that could be a big moment for the Red Devils.

The Portuguese star carried his team almost single-handed in his first season and he’s scored 33 goals in 70 games for the Manchester club – an outstanding return for a midfielder. He’s blown a little hot and cold this term, but now his team needs him more than ever.        

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the club with a fanfare last summer. And while he has provided some memorable Premier League 2022 highlights and scored eight goals, he hasn’t always looked a happy bunny and he is doubtful for this crucial tie.

Uruguayan hitman Edinson Cavani could start with Anthony Martial out of favour and Marcus Rashford out of form and he will rely on Fernandes to work his magic.

The two of them could be heroes on Saturday, but Rangnick would settle for one. 

Moyes doesn’t want another Hammer blow

Consecutive victories over Watford, Crystal Palace, and Norwich City propelled the Hammers up to fourth place, but last week they suffered a damaging blow.

Jarrod Bowen has been in brilliant form, but he missed a sitter in the dying seconds of a 3-2 defeat to Leeds United, chesting the ball over the bar when he could have stooped just a little, to head it into an empty net.

As I said, it’s all about momentum and four wins on the bounce would have been just perfect going into this match.

Bowen is the last player you would expect to fluff an easy chance. He has six goals and seven assists and is red-hot at the moment, while the return to form of attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals has been a real boost to manager David Moyes.

Up front, eight-goal Michail Antonio is always a handful and he’ll give Manchester centre-back Harry Maguire plenty to think about, so we’re in for a fascinating afternoon.  

Moyes had a bad time as head coach of Manchester United as the first incumbent of the Old Trafford hot seat following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

It turned out to be rather too hot, but the wily Scot has coolly put together a team at West Ham which can stand toe-to-toe with his former employers, as his midfield ace Declan Rice is a player the Red Devils would dearly love in their ranks.    

History

Manchester United have dominated their encounters with the Hammers in the Premier League era, winning 36 of their 60 meetings while there have been nine West Ham wins and 15 draws.

Last season, Manchester United did the double over the Hammers, winning 1-0 at home and 3-1 away.

And while they picked up three points with a 2-1 victory at the London Stadium in September, the Red Devils were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by the Hammers just three days later as Manuel Lanzini struck the vital blow at Old Trafford.    

Betting Tip

	Manchester United vs West Ham United	Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.96
	January 22, 23:00 (GMT+8)

At 1.87 to win, the Red Devils should give their fans a great afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams. But with the draw at 3.40 and West Ham at a price of 3.73, the Premier League 2022 betting odds say all three results are in play.

I’m backing a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 either way and a game packed with action, so hang on and enjoy the ride!

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.