Manchester United-West Ham is a match in the round of 16 of the FA Cup and is played on Wednesday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
From one cup to another. Manchester United are right back on the pitch after their triumph in the League Cup final at Wembley against Newcastle, beaten 2-0 thanks to goals scored in the first half by Casemiro and Rashford, coincidentally the two great protagonists of the Red Devils’ “rebirth”. Erik ten Hag therefore managed to win on the first strike, allowing the club to return to lifting a trophy after six years of abstinence.
A victory that adds to the enthusiasm around Bruno Fernandes and his team-mates. And which, above all, allows the Dutch coach to look to the future with great optimism: the team is still committed on three fronts, including the FA Cup, which it could win for the thirteenth time in its history. The ‘double’ in the national cups is a goal that teases and not a little, not to mention that Manchester United is one of the great favourites, along with Arsenal, to win the Europa League. The Red Devils meanwhile will have the privilege of playing the round of 16 of the second most important domestic event in front of their own public: Old Trafford this year is a real fortress. United’s only two defeats in their ‘temple’ both date back to last summer, when chaos still reigned and the former Ajax coach, who had just arrived in England, had not had the chance to make an impact.
West Ham, a complicated season
Waiting to face the eagerly awaited big match with Liverpool in the league next weekend, the fresh winners of the League Cup in the round of 16 of the FA Cup will face West Ham, a team that started with ambitious goals and instead finds itself fighting to avoid relegation.
Moyes
The Hammers, after three games without a win, breathed a sigh of relief only last Saturday, overwhelming Nottingham Forest 4-0 in their direct clash. David Moyes and his men are now 16th, two points ahead of third-last-placed Everton. Salvation should come without any problems given the value of the squad, but Antonio and his team-mates cannot afford too many missteps. The Scottish coach will be without the injured Coufal and Fabianski, as well as striker Ings – author of two goals against Forest – who cannot play this competition having already done so this season with the Aston Villa jersey. Turnover also for ten Hag, who should give a chance to Lindelof, Malacia, Sabitzer, Wan-Bissaka and Heaton. It will be Dutchman Weghorst’s turn to lead the attack.
The Prediction
Impossible for Manchester United to break their home unbeaten streak against a team who, despite having a respectable squad, don’t look capable of making a splash and may be distracted by the league. Red Devils favourites in a match in which, however, West Ham should also score.
The Manchester United-West Ham line-up probables
- MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Casemiro, Sabitzer; Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.
- WEST HAM (4-3-3): Areola; Johnson, Kehrer, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek, Paqueta; Benrahma, Antonio, Bowen.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
