Manchester United welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Thursday evening in the Premier League, with viewers able to catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event. The game kicks off at 8:00pm and below you can find our best bets and match preview.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on United’s attacking numbers and West Ham’s defensive frailties, we’re taking a confident stance on a home win, but there are angles for goals and player props too. Here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in Manchester United to win, given their attacking superiority and West Ham’s struggles at the back.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freddie Potts to be fouled over 1.5 times | 3/1 @ SBK (25.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Freddie Potts has been enjoying a good run of starts for West Ham and he looks potentially overpriced in the ‘to be fouled’ market on Thursday. The 22-year-old has recorded fouls won figures of 3,3 & 2 across his most recent outings and ip against the likes of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, 3/1 for Over 1.5 looks generous. |
| Bryan Mbeumo to Score Anytime | 5/4 @ SBK (44.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | West Ham have conceded in all of their last seven, shipping at least two goals in six of those. There’s plenty of scope for United to get on the scoresheet on numerous occasions. With five league goals already this term, Bryan Mbeumo is the player we are targeting to find the net. |
| Bruno Fernandes to Get an Assist | 2/1 @ SkyBet (33.3%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Fernandes has 5 assists (1/3 of team total), 35 big chances created, and faces a leaky back line. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 5/6 @ BetVictor (54.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both teams average over 2.8 goals per game combined; defences limited. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
How both teams go into Man Utd vs West Ham
Manchester United ended Crystal Palace’s record 12-game unbeaten run at Selhurst Park with a hard-fought win. Jean-Philippe Mateta had given the Eagles an early lead from a retaken penalty, but goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, both set up by Bruno Fernandes free kicks, turned the game in the Red Devils’ favour. The victory was a welcome boost after a disappointing home loss to 10-man Everton, leaving United in seventh place, just three points off third spot.
Under Ruben Amorim, United have steadied after a shaky start, losing just once in their last seven matches. However, a defeat on Thursday could see him reach a record of 10 Premier League home losses in just 20 matches. The Red Devils also face pressure in December, with a three-game losing streak last year without scoring, highlighting the need for consistent form at Old Trafford.
West Ham’s three-game unbeaten streak ended in gameweek 13 against Liverpool, a defeat overshadowed by disciplinary drama. Paqueta received a red card amid a heated online exchange with the FA, though he was later cleared of spot-fixing allegations. The Irons now sit 17th and could drop further toward the relegation zone depending on other results, putting extra pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of Thursday’s clash.
The West Ham boss will be aiming for his first Premier League away win in five attempts, a rare struggle last seen under Avram Grant in 2010. Confidence could come from their previous double over Manchester United in 2024-25, including a 2-1 victory at the London Stadium and a 2-0 win at Old Trafford, giving the Hammers a chance to win consecutive league games at Old Trafford for the first time since 1934.
Man Utd team news
Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko are out but Matheus Cunha is nearing a return and could make the bench.
West Ham team news
Crysencio Summerville, Lukasz Fabianski and Olver Scarles are all missing for the visitors.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date: Manchester United are pushing up the table after a mixed start, sitting 7th with 21 points from 13 matches. West Ham, by contrast, are in a scrap for survival, sitting 17th on 11 points. United’s attacking output (21 goals, 27.15 xG) far outpaces West Ham’s (15 goals, 12.32 xG), but both have been vulnerable defensively. Form momentum is with United, who have moved up three places recently. Here’s how the table stacks up:
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 7 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 21 |
| West Ham United | 17 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 27 | -12 | 11 |
Head-to-Head: Last 10 Meetings
Recent history between these sides has been surprisingly even, with West Ham winning three of the last five, including both encounters last season. United, however, have the stronger overall record at Old Trafford. Here are the most recent results:
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 11/05/25 | Man United 0-2 West Ham | Premier League |
| 27/10/24 | West Ham 2-1 Man United | Premier League |
| 04/02/24 | Man United 3-0 West Ham | Premier League |
| 23/12/23 | West Ham 2-0 Man United | Premier League |
| 07/05/23 | West Ham 1-0 Man United | Premier League |
| 01/03/23 | Man United 3-1 West Ham | FA Cup |
| 30/10/22 | Man United 1-0 West Ham | Premier League |
| 22/01/22 | Man United 1-0 West Ham | Premier League |
| 22/09/21 | Man United 0-1 West Ham | League Cup |
| 19/09/21 | West Ham 1-2 Man United | Premier League |
Conclusion
We’ve decided to swerve taking a punt on the match result and like the look of two-player-based bets. The first looks a cracking price at 3/1 for Freddie Potts to be fouled twice or more, while we are also getting behind Bryan Mbeumo to find the net anytime in the match at 5/4.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
