West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion. Premier League.
Upton ParkAttendance34,914.
Sunday 29 November 2015 13:23, UK
West Ham are looking to end their worst run of form this season when they welcome West Brom to Upton Park on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
The Hammers are without a win in three games following their defeat by Tottenham at White Hart Lane last Sunday, and they face a West Brom side buoyed by their recent 2-1 victory over Arsenal.
After a strong start to the Premier League season, Slaven Bilic's side have now gone eight games without a clean sheet, a run that includes just two wins from their last seven league games, although the form of Manuel Lanzini has been a positive.
As for the Baggies, manager Tony Pulis has them tough to beat on their travels, and they have only lost three of their last 10 league games away from The Hawthorns.
Three wins from their last five matches has lifted West Brom into mid-table, but they face challenging tests on the horizon with games at Liverpool and home to Spurs to come.
Team news
Chris Brunt is suspended with Pulis also admitting he has several injury worries. The former Stoke boss refused to name those who are doubtful, but Gareth McAuley is available after missing the win over Arsenal through suspension.
Jonas Olsson replaced McAuley against the Gunners and impressed, while Saido Berahino may continue on the bench with Salomon Rondon leading the line.
Bilic has a decision to make as to who will replace suspended captain Mark Noble. The midfielder received his fifth yellow card of the campaign in the Hammers' loss to Tottenham, and Bilic has confirmed either Pedro Obiang or Alex Song will start in his place.
Both have been struggling with injury this season but are available for selection, while Dimitri Payet (ankle), Enner Valencia (ankle/foot) and Darren Randolph (knee) are all still out.
Opta stats
Six of the last nine league meetings between the two clubs have ended as draws (West Ham two wins, West Brom one victory).
Berahino has scored in four of his five appearances against West Ham in all competitions.
Bilic has used 26 players in the league this season, a figure only Manchester United can match.
Only Aston Villa (34) have fired in fewer shots on target than West Brom this season (39).
The Hammers have won just five of their last 16 top flight games at Upton Park. (W5 D5 L6).
Lanzini has scored in each of the last three league matches when he has played the full 90 minutes.
Merson's prediction
West Ham need to get moving. They need to win. They're starting to all of a sudden become the team we expected them to be at the start of the season.
I know they miss Payet, but you can't rely on one player, and that's disrespectful to the rest of the players too.
West Brom had a phenomenal result last week against Arsenal. For them to go and win was just amazing, nobody gave them a chance.
I've watched them away from home, and I know how they play. They'll turn up, stick 10 behind the ball and frustrate West Ham. If West Ham don't score first they're in trouble, but I think you'll see a reaction here from the hosts.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Sky Bet make West Ham even-money favourites against 11/4 shots West Brom. Four of the last five meetings have seen both teams find the net and it's 5/6 for that trend to continue.
This season the Baggies have seen only seven goals scored in their six away matches and they are 4/1 to win by exactly one goal. It's 6/1 for a Baggies' win and under 2.5 goals in the match.
Diafra Sakho scored the opener last season and is 11/2 to net first on Sunday with Rondon a 9/4 shot to get his name of the scoresheet. Check out the Sky Bet tips from pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson here.
