Prediction: Manchester United vs West Ham

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Turning their attention back to FA Cup duties on Wednesday night, Manchester United will welcome West Ham to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, ending their six-year wait to lift a piece of silverware over the weekend as they were crowned EFL Cup champions, Manchester United are in the midst of what has been a stellar purple patch. Eventually claiming a 2-0 victory against top-four contenders Newcastle, Erik ten Hag’s side now have their sights set on completing a silverware sweep in 2023. With the mood around Old Trafford at the highest it has been in recent memory, the former Ajax boss has seen his side gain a string of plaudits. Really hitting the ground running since returning from the World Cup’s winter break, some in United’s camp could even be dreaming of mounting a famous title charge over the next few months. Riding what has been a real wave of momentum, there is no doubt that ten Hag will be calling on his high-flying squad to lay down another marker when they turn their attention back to FA Cup duties on Wednesday night.

Team News

Only days removed from Sunday’s EFL Cup final, ten Hag could make a string of changes on Wednesday night. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire and Marcel Sabitzer could all be in line for a full recall at Old Trafford.

However, ten Hag will once again be without the trio of Donny van de Peek, Anthony Martial and Christian Eriksen here.

West Ham

As for the visitors, managing to make a much-welcomed return to winning ways over the weekend with a thumping display on home soil, West Ham will be desperate to use that as a platform to build on. Eventually breezing their way to a 4-0 romp against Nottingham Forest, David Moyes has eased some of the mounting pressure on his shoulders. However, breaking the bank last summer as they spent £180million, the former Manchester United boss does still find his side at the heart of a shock relegation scrap. Despite extending on their FA Cup run last month as they claimed a 1-0 victory away at Premier League rivals Brentford, the Hammers will know that they face a huge challenge when they travel to Old Trafford in midweek. Suffering a 1-0 loss when they traveled to Manchester on October 30th for a top-flight meeting, West Ham have managed to win just one of their last nine straight meetings against Wednesday’s hosts. Likewise, Moyes’ side have also recorded just a single win at Old Trafford since way back in 2007.

Team News

All struggling to get much first-team action over recent weeks, the likes of Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals and Aaron Cresswell will be hoping for a full recall at Old Trafford. French international Alphonse Areola should keep his spot between the sticks on Wednesday night.

While January arrival Danny Ings might have bagged a brace in Saturday’s 4-0 romp against Nottingham Forest, the ex-Aston Villa striker is cup-tied here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on October 30th, Manchester United picked up a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
• Wednesday’s hosts have lost just one of their last nine meetings against West Ham across all competitions.
• The Hammers have claimed just a single victory at Old Trafford since 2007.
• Manchester United have lost just one of their last 21 straight matchups across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to November 6th.
• West Ham have recorded just a single victory away at Premier League opposition since August 28th.

Conclusion

While West Ham might have stormed their way to a 4-0 romp at home against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, the Hammers will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge on Wednesday night. Watching Manchester United end their six-year wait to lift a piece of silverware as they claimed this season’s EFL Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory against Newcastle, the midweek hosts are in the midst of a stellar purple patch. Booking their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s Europa League after coming past Spanish heavyweights Barcelona last week, United have lost just one of their last 21 straight appearances across all competitions. Looking to secure a silverware sweep in 2023, we’re backing a home win for ten Hag’s high-flying squad in midweek.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet