West Ham v Swansea preview: Adrian missing for Hammers
Saturday 7 May 2016 15:16, UK
West Ham could move to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester City with a win against Swansea, but are without goalkeeper Adrian.
The 29-year-old 'keeper has missed only three games for the Hammers in the league this season, but is set to be sidelined for their three remaining fixtures with a calf injury.
West Ham bring the curtain down on 112 years at Upton Park, prior to their move to the Olympic Stadium, when they face Manchester United on Tuesday night in what could prove to be a pivotal game in their season.
But they must first overcome Swansea who secured their top-flight status last weekend.
The 3-1 victory over Liverpool took them to 43 points and Francesco Guidolin, who has won six and drawn three of his 14 matches since being appointed in January, was delighted that he had overhauled Swansea's lowest Premier League points haul.
Team news
Bilic has no injury concerns other than Adrian as his side bid to keep up the pressure on Manchester United and Manchester City in the race for the final Champions League spot.
Swansea will be much changed for the trip after securing their Premier League status.
Captain Ashley Williams sits out the final two games of the season after a heavy workload, while Neil Taylor (groin), Gylfi Sigurdsson (shoulder), Jefferson Montero and Alberto Paloschi (both hamstring) are all missing.
Leroy Fer is back after hamstring trouble and Kyle Naughton, Federico Fernandez and Modou Barrow are also set to return to the starting line-up.
Opta stats
West Ham have won three and lost none of their last six Premier League games against Swansea (D3), while Swansea haven't won an away league game against the Hammers since August 1956 (D1 L7).
Andy Carroll has scored four goals in four Premier League appearances against Swansea for the Hammers.
Swansea have won their last two league games against London clubs (2-1 v Arsenal and 1-0 v Chelsea). They hadn't won any of their previous eight (D5 L3).
West Ham United have already achieved their highest points tally in a Premier League season (59), beating their previous best of 57 in 1998/99.
Only one team has stopped the Hammers from finding the net at Upton Park in their last 21 Premier League home matches.
Sigurdsson has had a hand in 41 Premier League goals for Swansea overall (25 goals, 16 assists), 10 more than any other Swans' player (Wilfried Bony is next on 31).
No Premier League side is on a longer unbeaten run than Slaven Bilic's side currently (10 games, W5 D5, level with Leicester).
The Swans have conceded a league-high 14 goals from corner situations this season.
Mark Noble has been involved in 11 goals for the Hammers in the Premier League this season (scoring seven, assisting four), four more than in any previous campaign.
Merson's predictions
I can see West Ham winning this easily - 3-0. Swansea go to Leicester and lie down, and then host Liverpool and they're like the Harlem Globetrotters, and that sums it all up for them this season.
West Ham can still creep into the top four, and I really think they'll win their last three games. Even if they don't, this is a superb season for them going into the Olympic Stadium. There's a buzz around Upton Park, and they should carry that down the road. The last game will be emotional, but I see them romping to a win here.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Betting
West Ham will look to continue their push for a top-four place when they take on 5/1 shots Swansea on Saturday and Sky Bet have made them the favourites at 1/2 to take all three points in their penultimate game at Boleyn Ground. With two goals in his last three games, Andy Carrol is Sky Bet's favourite to score the game's first goal. Phil Thompson is tipping the powerful striker to do so, with Sky Bet enhancing his odds from 7/2 to 9/2 in their Price Boost. See all the match odds here.
