West Ham v Man Utd

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 2 April Kick-off: 1245 BST
Coverage: Watch live on Sky Sports 2 and highlights on Match of the Day; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

TEAM NEWS

Scott Parker is expected to be fit for West Ham despite picking up shoulder and calf injuries on England duty.

Striker Frederic Piquionne has recovered from the toe injury that saw him miss the draw with Tottenham.

Manchester United will welcome back captain Nemanja Vidic from a calf injury to boost their ailing defence.

Jonny Evans begins a three-match suspension following his red card against Bolton, while Paul Scholes completes his own ban.

West Ham

Doubtful: Parker (shoulder & calf)

Injured: Collison & Kurucz (both knee), Stanislas (hernia)

Man Utd

Suspended: Evans (three matches), Scholes (one match)

Doubtful: Anderson (knee)

Injured: Brown & Ferdinand (calf), Fletcher (virus), Hargreaves (shoulder), Lindegaard (knee), O’Shea & Rafael (both hamstring)

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester United return to the scene of their biggest defeat of the season for a match with huge repercussions at the top and bottom of the table.

These are must-win games, in the sense that every time you get three points, it’s another step closer to the finish line Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men saw their invincible aura shattered when they were

humbled 4-0

in November’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Upton Park, and the manager will be desperate to avoid a third defeat in four outings as United look to strengthen their grip on a record 19th title.

For West Ham, three points is a must as they scrap to survive in the top flight. Avram Grant’s side have breathed new life into a campaign that appeared to be dead and buried, hauling themselves out of the relegation zone with a four-match unbeaten run.

Despite that Carling Cup defeat, Manchester United have dominated recent league meetings between these sides, winning their last five encounters without conceding a goal. However, they have struggled on their travels this season and have managed just one victory in the capital in their last five attempts.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United have won the last five Premier League games against West Ham without conceding a goal.

• But their most recent meeting came in November’s Carling Cup quarter-finals when the Hammers ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Upton Park.

• Wayne Rooney has scored five goals in eight Premier League games for United against the Hammers. The England striker is two short of 100 Premier League goals for United.

West Ham

• The in-form Hammers have scored 15 times in their last six league and cup matches.

• They have lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches – a 1-0 home defeat to Birmingham City on 6 February.

• Their next defeat will be their 250th in the Premier League.

• Carlton Cole could make the 250th appearance of his club career.

Man Utd

• Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have only won four of their last 15 Premier League away games.

• They have only won one of their last five Premier League games in London, and only five of the last 19.

• According to Opta statistics, United have scored with 18% of their shots, giving them the best conversion rate in the Premier League this season.

• Javier Hernandez has scored 10 goals from just 14 shots on target according to Opta.

LEADING GOALSCORERS

West Ham

Cole: 11 goals (5 league); Piquionne: 9 goals (6 league);
Obinna: 8 goals (3 league)

Man Utd

Berbatov: 21 goals (20 league);
Hernandez: 16 goals (10 league)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Patrick Keane

Fourth official: Stuart Attwell

LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

West Ham (D0-0 v Tottenham, a): Green, Jacobsen, da Costa, Upson, Bridge, O’Neil, Parker, Hitzlsperger, Noble, Cole (Obinna 78), Ba. Subs not used: Boffin, Gabbidon, Tomkins, Boa Morte, Sears, Hines.

Man Utd (W1-0 v Bolton, h): Van der Sar, Brown (Fabio Da Silva 46), Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov 46). Subs not used: Kuszczak, Owen, Park, Gibson, Gill.