Introduction
As the Premier League season nears its end, the race for the top four spots has become intense. With Manchester City and Liverpool already securing two of the spots, the competition for the remaining two places is heating up. Two teams that are in the running to grab those spots are West Ham United and Manchester United. In this article, we take a closer look at the battle between these two teams for a place in the top four.
West Ham United
West Ham United has been a surprise package this season. The team started the season with low expectations, but they have exceeded them by a considerable margin. As things stand, they sit in fifth place with 55 points, just two points behind Chelsea who occupy the final Champions League spot. West Ham’s performances this season have been built on their solid defensive record. They have conceded just 35 goals, which is the third-best in the league. In attack, they have relied heavily on the goals of Michail Antonio, who has scored eight goals this season.
Manchester United
Manchester United, on the other hand, started the season with high expectations after their impressive performances towards the end of last season. However, their form has been inconsistent this season. They have won 17 of their 32 league games, drawing 9 and losing 6. As things stand, they occupy second place with 66 points, 11 points behind Manchester City. United’s performances this season have been built on their attacking prowess. They have scored 61 goals, which is the second-best in the league. Bruno Fernandes has been their standout player, with 16 goals and 11 assists to his name.
Head-to-Head
West Ham and Manchester United have faced each other 48 times in the Premier League. United have won 29 of those encounters, while West Ham has won 9. The two teams have drawn 10 times. In their last five meetings, Manchester United has won four and drawn one. The most recent meeting between the two teams was in December 2020, where United won 3-1.
Remaining Fixtures
Both teams have six games remaining in the league. West Ham’s remaining fixtures are against Burnley, Everton, Brighton, West Brom, Southampton and Chelsea. Out of these fixtures, the games against Everton and Chelsea are likely to be the toughest. Manchester United’s remaining fixtures are against Leeds United, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool. Out of these fixtures, the games against Leicester City and Liverpool are likely to be the toughest.
Conclusion
The battle for the top four spots in the Premier League is always intense, and this season is no different. West Ham and Manchester United are two teams that are in contention for a place in the top four. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, but it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. With just six games remaining, every point counts, and it will be exciting to see how this battle unfolds.
