West Ham v Man United: Backline injuries to hurt hosts

Michael Lintorn
07 February 2015

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has six defensive injury doubts

Rotherham United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sat 16 Aug, 15:00

Join

Twitter

Facebook

View the Betslip

Michael Lintorn expects Man United to capitalise on West Ham's limited defensive options...

"Man United scored at least twice on each of their previous four Premier League trips to the Boleyn Ground."

Best Bet: Back Man United to score two goals or more @ 2.0621/20

West Ham v Man United
Sunday, 16:15
Live on Sky Sports 1

West Ham

The Irons have a heap of injury concerns heading into this encounter and, even worse than that, the majority are concentrated in one area.

All four senior centre backs, Winston Reid, James Collins, James Tomkins and Doneil Henry, either missed or got injured during their previous match at Liverpool, and only Tomkins appears to have a strong chance of recovering in time. Right backs Carl Jenkinson and Guy Demel are also doubts.

Sam Allardyce has vowed not to risk anyone who isn't 100% because his side have two away fixtures in the six days following this game: against Southampton in the Premier League and West Brom in the FA Cup fifth round. Therefore, Andy Carroll - another player crocked at Anfield - may also sit out.

Man United

While the injury bug is biting West Ham harder than it has at any other point this season, Man United's treatment table is the least busy that it has been throughout a campaign of constant strains, tears and broken bones.

The visitors' sole absentee is former Hammers midfielder Michael Carrick with a calf complaint and though their record without him was poor earlier in 2014/15, they have won the past three contests that he missed.

Match Odds: West Ham 4.1, Man United 2.01/1, The Draw 3.711/4

Many Man United fans still see West Ham as a bogey club and the Boleyn as a bogey ground because it served as a graveyard to two title challenges in the 1990s, but recently they have absolutely dominated the Londoners, winning 11 and drawing the other of their last 12 league meetings.

Allardyce's team are on their worst Premier League run this term, prevailing in just one of their past six outings, and that at home to 18th-placed Hull. They faced three of the top seven in that period and lost every time - 2-0 to Chelsea and Liverpool and 2-1 to Arsenal.

Another advantage for the away side is that they have sorted their travelling form out, going eight unbeaten on the road in all competitions having endured a winless streak of six prior to that.

Man United Total Goals

Man United scored at least twice on each of their previous four Premier League trips to the Boleyn Ground, actually averaging out at three goals per appearance over that timeframe, and that was when the hosts had a fully-functioning defence.

West Ham have conceded twice against Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool since Christmas without anywhere near as many rearguard injuries as they are currently hindered by, and were also breached twice in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford when Louis van Gaal's men were still disjointed.

Second Half Match Odds

Though this writer expects Man United to triumph, they are likely to inflict that damage in the first half, much as they did when the clubs clashed at Old Trafford and as the only guests to win in east London since September - Arsenal - did in late December.

West Ham have an incredible record in the second half of home Premier League games - they haven't been outscored in that period since the defeats to Tottenham and Southampton in August, with the aggregate score in their ten matches being 11-1.

They haven't conceded in seven league second halves in front of their fans, winning five of their most recent six.

Best Bet: Back Man United to score two goals or more @ 2.0621/20
Other Recommended Bet: Back West Ham to win the second half @ 4.1

Bet £10 On ACCAS or Bet Builders and Get a £2 Free Bet

Bet £10 on Accas, Multiples or Bet Builders, at minimum combined odds of 2.0 (evens) and once the qualifying bet(s) have settled, you'll get a £2 free bet. Free bet valid 48 hours on Accas, Multiples or Bet Builders. T&Cs apply.