Manchester United must negotiate their way through a potentially tricky game agsinst West Ham on Sunday if they are to stay in the hunt for a top four finish. United sit in sixth place in the Premier League table and such is the nature of the battle for European places, they cannot afford to drop off the pace even at this early stage.
United are 7/10 with Betfred to bag a fourth home league win of the season while West Ham, who go into this fixture having lost just one of their last eight matches in all competitions, are 4/1 outsiders.
The Reds go into this fixture in confident mood having extended their unbeaten run to seven in all competitions with a routine 3-0 success over Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday where remarkably, the visitors didn't register a single shot either on or off target.
Erik ten Hag's side were well worth their point at Stamford Bridge last weekend and their last league performance at Old Trafford - a 2-0 win over Spurs, was their most impressive of the season so far.
West Ham propelled themselves up the table with a routine 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday night and they really ought to have taken something from their trip to Liverpool just a few days earlier, where they missed a penalty and had one or two huge opportunities to equalise late in the game.
Defensively, West Ham's process is good. Liverpool (1.3) are the only side to generate an xG of greater than 1.0 against the Hammers since they lost at Brighton on August 21.
Manchester United have often struggled to break down sides that are well organised and they needed an injury time winner from Marcus Rashford to break West Ham down when these sides met at Old Trafford in January.
The Hammers didn't create a great deal that day but they look more dangerous with Italian forward Gianluca Scamacca, who already has six West Ham goals to his name, in their ranks this season and they pose a serious threat to United on the break for all that they haven't exactly been prolific away from east London.
Manchester United vs West Ham prediction
West Ham have only won once on the road in the league this season and have managed just three goals in their six road trips.
With chance conversion still an issue for United, this has the potential to be a low-scoring game decided by a single goal. The even money ( Betfred ) about Under 2.5 Goals looks a solid wager but the only goal the Reds have conceded in this game was a Chelsea penalty so they remain an improving force defensively - although losing Raphael Varane last weekend was a bow.
Keep this simple and back the Reds to win to nil, which is a juicy 19/10 chance with Betfred.
Manchester United vs West Ham p rediction: Manchester United to win to nil - 19/10
Manchester United vs West Ham odds from Betfred
- Manchester United - 7/10
- Draw - 3/1
- West Ham - 4/1
Betfred is offering new customers an incredible £60 worth of bonuses when you sign up and bet £10 on any event!
18+ | T&C's apply | New customers only | Gamble responsibly | begambleaware.org
Please Gamble Responsibly
Everyone at The Inside Track and Reach are committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.
READ NEXT:
