West Ham United dey try claim back-to-back Premier League home wins for first time since February as dem welcome Burnley to London Stadium on Saturday. Last time dem meet na March 2024, Danny Ings score stoppage-time equaliser for Hammers against former club, end 2-2.
Match Preview
West Ham don suffer six-game winless run, five losses, but last weekend dem comeback beat Newcastle 3-1 for home, first win in almost nine months. Lucas Paqueta stunner cancel early opener from Jacob Murphy, Sven Botman own goal give Hammers lead half-time, Tomas Soucek seal win deep in stoppage time. Fans do sit-in protest after match, but coach Nuno Espirito Santo happy as first win move dem to 18th, three points behind Burnley (17th).
West Ham shots on target improve under Nuno: nine of 16 in Newcastle win, most for non-promoted team since nine against Leeds May 2023. Hammers dey unbeaten in last six PL matches vs Burnley (W3 D3), and never lose in last 11 PL matches vs Clarets when scoring at least one goal (W8 D3) since 2010 Turf Moor defeat.
Burnley recent form: after wins over Leeds (2-0) and Wolves (3-2), dem lose 2-0 to Arsenal last weekend. Coach Scott Parker impressed with second-half display, says team dey go correct direction for survival. Burnley get fewest shots in PL this season (74, 7.4/game), but 16.2% conversion second best behind Tottenham 17.5%. Parker hope back-to-back away wins for first time since 2019-20, but record at West Ham bad: only two wins in last 11 top-flight away matches vs Hammers (D2 L7), conceded 20 goals.
Team News
West Ham: Niclas Fullkrug (thigh) & Konstantinos Mavropanos (muscle) dey target return after break. Oliver Scarles (shoulder), George Earthy (hamstring), Lukasz Fabianski (back) dey out.
Freddie Potts hope keep place alongside Matheus Fernandes & Lucas Paqueta, Tomas Soucek fit return. Callum Wilson expected up front with Jarrod Bowen & Crysencio Summerville.
Burnley: Jordan Beyer (hamstring), Zeki Amdouni & Connor Roberts (both knee) out. Hjalmar Ekdal should be fit. Jaidon Anthony likely keep left wing, Loum Tchaouna, Marcus Edwards, Jacob Bruun Larsen compete right wing. Lyle Foster back after illness, fit start up front ahead of Zian Flemming.
Possible Lineups
West Ham United:
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Diouf; Potts, Fernandes; Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville; Wilson
Burnley:
Dubravka; Walker, Tuanzebe, Esteve, Hartman; Ugochukwu, Florentino, Cullen; Tchaouna, Foster, Anthony
Prediction
West Ham United 2-1 Burnley
Both teams dey fight for points to avoid relegation before international break. Considering Hammers’ good record vs Clarets & promising Newcastle display, we dey back West Ham to edge close contest for East London.
