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Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho
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Despite being dumped out of the EFL Cup at the quarterfinal stage in a 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in midweek, West Ham continue to perform well overall this campaign. 

Their safe progression to the Europa League knockout rounds is already sealed, whilst a 3-0 victory over Wolves last weekend saw them move up to eighth spot in the Premier League. 

BET: West Ham vs. Man United latest odds on DraftKings

Next up, they'll host Manchester United at the London Stadium, a side who sit just one point above the Hammers heading into this latest matchday. In order to overtake the visitors, they'll need to win consecutive league meetings against the Red Devils for the first time since December 2008 though. 

Erik ten Hag's side arrive in London having secured a morale-boosting 0-0 draw at Anfield versus fierce rivals Liverpool last time out. Despite facing a barrage, their defence and goalkeeper Andre Onana stood firm which should have boosted confidence ahead of this pre-Christmas showdown. 

The Sporting News previews the game below with our prediction and best bets.

MORE: English Premier League table 2023/24: Updated EPL standings

West Ham vs Man United match facts

  • Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023
  • Kickoff time: 12:30 p.m. local (7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT)
  • Location: London Stadium (London, England)
  • Last meeting: West Ham 1-0 Man United (May 7, 2023 | Premier League)

West Ham vs Man United prediction, odds

  • Moneyline lean: Draw (+265)
  • Score prediction: West Ham 1-1 Man United
  WHU
win
Draw MNU
win
Both teams
to score Y / N
Over / Under
2.5 goals
DraftKings
(USA)
+160 +265 +160 -190 / +150 -150 / +120

*Odds correct as on December 21.

    West Ham vs Man United best bet

    • Pick: Under 2.5 goals scored
    • Odds: +120 (DraftKings)

    In this battle between 7th and 8th, it's difficult to ignore the value that the under 2.5 goals scored market offers at +120 with DraftKings. 

    Although four of West Ham's last five competitive matches have cleared that mark, we're expecting a more cagey affair in this one especially as four of the last five meetings between these two sides has finished 1-0 either way. 

    As for Ten Hag's side, they've only conceded more than one goal in just one of their past five outings, including holding Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Liverpool all to one strike or fewer. That should see them enter this latest clash full of confidence, especially after keeping two clean sheets across their last four clashes with West Ham. 

    West Ham vs Man United flier bet

    • Pick: Jarrod Bowen to score first 
    • Odds: +550 (DraftKings)

    Despite his side falling to a 5-1 defeat in midweek, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen once again found the back of the net away to tough opposition in Liverpool. 

    That strike took his overall tally to 12 goals this season across 22 first team appearances for the Hammers as Bowen looks to break his way back into the England national team set up. 

    Of those 12 strikes, just four have come on home soil as he's made a habit of scoring on the road instead but with three coming as match openers, he could be worth a punt here. All three of those opening goals have come in the Premier League too which gives his odds at +550 to net first here, serious temptation. 

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    Author(s)
    Nathan Evans Photo

    A Sports Journalism Masters graduate, Nathan Evans joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working at Opta/Stats Perform for six years. He's an avid fan of Bradford City, FC Köln and the Pittsburgh Penguins.