Game Week 14 Predictions: Manchester United to beat West Ham

Manchester United vs West Ham Preview: Red Devils eye joint-4th spot, Hammers fight relegation drop. Team news, AFCON absences & prediction

Manchester United could go up to fifth if they beat West Ham at Old Trafford on Thursday but, such result throws the Hammers into the relegation zone

Manchester United vs West Ham

Old Trafford Stadium

9:00 pm

Tuesday and Wednesday's results have thrown West Ham into the relegation zone and given United a big opportunity to go joint fourth with Chelsea on the log.

Leeds United claimed the biggest scalp of the game week so far with a sensational 3-1 win over Chelsea at Elland Road; not many people saw that coming, and it has bought Daniel Farke more time at the helm.

A win at Old Trafford on Thursday moves Manchester United to fifth, only behind the Blues on goal difference. What an incentive that would be for the Red Devils, who have been much criticized throughout this campaign.

For West Ham, the recovery continues, and they hope to do something in this game against Manchester United. Lucas Paqueta is suspended following five yellow cards; Nuno Espirito Santo must find creative ways to fill in for the Brazilian.

United surprised many with a strong second-half performance against Crystal Palace on Sunday. You can argue that the Eagles were fatigued from back-to-back games, including a trip to prosecute a Europa League game.

Ruben Amorim will lose the trio of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Noussir Mazraoui to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after the weekend game; he must find replacements for the trio.

West Ham will also lose Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan Bissaka to Senegal and the Congo DR, respectively. Rotation will be a key fixture for most managers this month, with many games to be played in little time.

How will they both line up for this one? Lisandro Martinez is expected to feature again following his return last weekend; with the Moroccan wingback set to depart for AFCON, you reckon there would be game time for the Argentine defender.

Matheus Cunha has been spotted in training, which means he could feature for United against West Ham, while the midfield dynamic is expected to be the same. Is this indeed United's game to lose?

How will the Hammers approach this? Callum Wilson is ready to go again, to be assisted by Jarrod Bowen. Mateus Fernandes is in the best position to replace Paqueta; however, you expect West Ham to sign creative players in the January window.

Both sides have reasons to go all out for this one. The urge to steer clear of the relegation zone against the quest to mix it with the big boys at the top, who will come out tops on Thursday?

Verdict: Manchester United to win.