Why West Ham Should be Backed at Old Trafford

It’s time for our Bookmaker Ratings battle for this week, with our focused turned to the FA Cup as Manchester United host in-form West Ham.

With a semi-final date at Wembley up for grabs both sides will be desperate for the win for different reasons. A trophy would mask what has been a thoroughly underwhelming campaign for the hosts, while the Londoners are aiming to cap off what has been a sensational season from their point of view.

This week I’m taking on Sky Sports correspondent and UEFA.com reporter Laure James, with a point awarded for each correct tip. WhoScored are up by one in the standings after last weekend’s round - correctly tipping under 0.5 goals in the first half of Der Klassiker - so I’m aiming to extend that lead!

Laure’s tips - read more

West Ham have won five out of their last six in all competitions and while they’re obviously prioritising a top-four finish in the league, the FA Cup ride has already proved to be an enjoyable one. Slaven Bilic described their extra-time victory over Liverpool in the competition as “one of West Ham’s greatest games”, and his troops will be up for this. West Ham to win are available at a very appealing 4.0, with William Hill. You can also take West Ham Draw No Bet with less risk at 3.0

WhoScored’s say

It's true that the odds on West Ham for this weekend are very high, offering great value, but betting on the Hammers outright is still a risk. Manchester United have been pretty dull at home all season but have remained hard to beat at Old Trafford. Louis van Gaal may have named a strong side given United's injury problems at Anfield but while that may play in the visitors' favour on Sunday, the Red Devils' defeat in Europe has left the FA Cup as their greatest chance of silverware.

WhoScored’s tips - detailed match preview

As mentioned, the most tempting odds in this game are undoubtedly on West Ham to win. With United playing out a demanding Europa League game against Liverpool just a matter of days before Sunday’s clash, the Hammers will look to exploit any fatigue from their hosts. Moreover, Slaven Bilic’s men are in fine form, winning four consecutive matches to boost their outside chances of a Champions League finish, leapfrogging their weekend’s opponents in the league in the process.

United, meanwhile, have been patchy all season long, although their record at Old Trafford of late is strong. That’s undoubtedly the reason why West Ham’s odds to win are so long, but a look at the double chance market for visitors still offers great value, so that is my first tip, with each of the last two meetings between these sides ending in a draw.

The second is more specific but I’m backing a trend of Manchester United’s season to continue on Sunday. It’s been a common theme, much to the frustration of the Red Devils’ fans, for Louis van Gaal’s side to struggle to gain an early advantage in matches, and it will be tough to change that against this strong West Ham outfit.

In 21 matches in all competitions at home this season Manchester United have been drawing with their opponents at half time on 16 occasions. With each of the last two meetings between the sides having been 0-0 at the interval I’m backing a repeat with odds @2.75 on under 0.5 goals in the first half.