West Ham v Man Utd preview

Teves goes back to Upton Park

Last updated: 28th December 2007

Manchester United Carlos Tevez & Wayne Rooney

Tevez: Going back to Upton Park

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Skysports.com prediction: West Ham 0 Man Utd 2

SKY BET odds: West Ham 11/2, Draw 11/4, Man Utd 4/9

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Carlos Tevez returns to Upton Park as Manchester United aim to ring in the New Year top of the Premier League table.

Argentine striker Tevez was instrumental in keeping West Ham United in the top flight last season, scoring the winner at Old Trafford on the final day of the campaign.

He is expected to receive a hero's welcome on Saturday and will be hoping to be recalled to the United starting line-up.

Tevez was left on the bench for the Boxing Day stroll at Sunderland and could dislodge either Louis Saha or Wayne Rooney depending upon how much Sir Alex Ferguson wants to freshen up his team.

The likes of John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher and Nani were all given a run-out in the 4-0 success at the Stadium of Light and will hope to keep their places.

But Anderson and Ryan Giggs were both rested for that game, and could return to the team at the expense of Fletcher and Nani.

Owen Hargreaves has yet to feature over the Christmas period due to a back complaint, while Gary Neville and Paul Scholes are still sidelined.

Edwin van der Sar is carrying a groin injury, so Tomasz Kuszczak should start in goal for the third game in a row.

Park Ji-sung made his first appearance of the season as a substitute against Sunderland after a knee injury and is likely to be involved in some capacity.

West Ham news

West Ham marked Alan Curbishley's first game as manager with victory in this fixture 12 months ago, but the London club have not won at home since October.

The goalscorer from last season - Nigel Reo-Coker - has left Upton Park, while Curbishley is missing several members of his current squad.

Midfielders Lee Bowyer (groin), Kieron Dyer (broken leg), Julien Faubert (Achilles) and Matthew Etherington (groin) are all absent, leaving Curbishley with little scope to change his team around.

The Hammers boss may have to stick with the XI who started the disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Reading on Boxing Day.

Anton Ferdinand took up a place on the bench against Reading after a hamstring injury, but Curbishley could continue with Matthew Upson and former United defender Jonathan Spector in the centre.

James Collins, Daniel Gabbidon and Calum Davenport are still out, while Curbishley is also short of options in attack.

Bobby Zamora (knee) and Craig Bellamy (stomach) are missing, while Luis Boa Morte has been struggling with a thigh complaint.