In a surprising move, Ruud van Nistelrooy has named a very strong 4-3-3 lineup for the match against West Ham, featuring Ugarte, Mainoo, and Yoro in the starting XI. Notably, Zirkzee, Bruno, and Garnacho have been left on the bench.

This weekend’s clash between Manchester United and West Ham United at the London Stadium will feature two Premier League clubs struggling to justify their hefty investments in recent years.

Despite significant spending on player transfers and high salaries for players and managers, both teams have yet to see the desired results, especially this season.

Currently, both Manchester United and West Ham find themselves in disappointing positions on the league table, given the resources at their disposal. Manchester United sits in 12th place with 11 points, while West Ham trails not far behind in 15th place with 8 points.

Considering the clubs’ payrolls and stature, being on the second page of the league standings is far below expectations. This underperformance highlights the difficulty they’ve faced in translating their financial power into success on the pitch.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match on Sunday, October 27, 2024, kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the London Stadium.

According to probabilities based on recent form and other factors, Manchester United has a 42% chance of victory, while a draw is estimated at 25%, and a West Ham win is given a 33% chance. In terms of betting odds, a victory for West Ham is priced at 15/8, a draw at 27/10, and a win for Manchester United at 13/10.

With the stage set for a crucial matchup, lineup predictions offer a glimpse of how the teams might approach this encounter.

For West Ham United, the expected starting XI includes Alphonse Areola in goal, with a defense comprising Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, Max Kilman, and Emerson Palmieri.

The midfield may see Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez anchoring, supported by Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paqueta, while Michael Antonio is likely to lead the attack.

On the other side, Manchester United’s predicted lineup could feature Andre Onana as the goalkeeper, backed by a defensive line of Victor Lindelof, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Diogo Dalot.

The midfield might consist of Manuel Ugarte and Christian Eriksen, while Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford could provide support to striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The match promises to be a test of which team can finally start delivering on the expectations set by their significant financial outlays.