Key Facts
- West Ham (18th/23) are under pressure to avoid relegation—just three points behind Nottingham Forest and eight ahead of Burnley—while Manchester United (4th/44) are looking to cement their place in the top four.
- The 2-0 win at Burnley, with an early goal from Summerville and Castellanos’ first goal, provided momentum after West Ham collapsed again in a 3-2 defeat at Chelsea despite leading 2-0 at halftime.
- West Ham’s defense looks vulnerable with goalkeeper Fabianski still out and Todibo suspended after his red card against Chelsea, making Hermansen/Areola and Disasi important alongside Mavropanos.
- Under Carrick, United have won four league games in a row (most recently 2-0 against Tottenham) and look more focused thanks to Mainoo’s control and Fernandes’ higher role in the final third.
- BTTS/Over 1.5 seems statistically plausible: in the last five meetings, every first half has been under 1.5 goals, but the final score has always been over 1.5; West Ham often concede goals, while United invariably score after the break.
Two realities that could hardly be more different will clash at London Stadium on Tuesday evening: Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham are 18th with 23 points and deep in the relegation battle, while Michael Carrick’s Manchester United are fourth with 44 points and clearly intent on confirming their good form. The 1-1 draw in the first leg in December 2025 was already an indication of how close and tactical such a duel can be, but United currently look much more solid, while West Ham continue to struggle to finally convert small steps into points. Nevertheless, this is exactly the kind of game in which West Ham can cause problems through Bowen and Summerville, especially if United get too playful in their early build-up play. Manchester United to win remains the most likely outcome for me, and Both Teams to Score: Yes and Over 2.5 Goals fit the patterns of both teams quite well.
- Venue: London Stadium, London
- Date and time: February 10, 2026, 9:15 p.m.
- Competition: Premier League (Matchday 26)
West Ham Form & Record Check
West Ham go into this game with some momentum after a 2-0 win at Burnley, with Summerville scoring early and Castellanos adding the second. It was the kind of controlled away performance they have shown far too rarely this season. Before that, they lost 3-2 at Chelsea, despite leading 2-0 at halftime, a game that showed both progress and ongoing problems in keeping control of a frantic final phase. A glance at the table shows that there is little room for error, with Nottingham Forest three points ahead and Burnley eight points behind, so the urgency is obvious. Nuno’s best moments have come when West Ham are alert from the start and convert ball wins into direct runs, with Bowen as the clear focal point and Fernandes making the connections in the game more quickly. The issue remains defensive stability, especially with Fabianski missing and the disciplinary fallout from Todibo’s red card against Chelsea continuing to play into the selection.
West Ham are likely to start in a 4-4-1-1, with Hermansen the probable number one behind Wan-Bissaka, Mavropanos, Disasi, and Diouf. The formation suggests a compact block and quick counterattacks, with Bowen and Summerville the main outlets on the wings. Castellanos is expected to play behind Wilson and try to convert counterattacks into early finishes or set pieces. The selection could depend heavily on availability. Fabianski is still out with back problems, so the goalkeeper question seems to be between Hermansen and Areola. Todibo could be missing after his red card against Chelsea, making Disasi’s role alongside Mavropanos seem like more than just a guess. In midfield, Souček and Fernandes are likely to provide a stable base, with Souček clearly posing a threat from set pieces.
Manchester United Form & Record Check
Under Carrick, Manchester United seem more rhythmic in attack and clearer in their overall approach.
Their league form has been almost ideal since he took over, most recently a 2-0 win against Tottenham, which followed victories against Fulham, Arsenal, and Manchester City. These results are not just a question of confidence, they also reflect a calmer order, with longer periods of controlled possession and better timing in the final third. The FA Cup defeat to Brighton remains a reminder of how quickly things can still turn around, but in the league, the focus has been crystal clear recently. Mainoo’s control in central areas has been crucial in making United more patient, while Fernandes looks liberated in a more advanced role and Dalot’s support from the outside as a full-back opens up another route to goal. Mbeumo and Cunha give them runners who can suddenly turn slow ball circulation into action in the penalty area, and Sesko offers a more direct target when needed. Nevertheless, this away trip is a test of their transition after losing the ball, precisely because de Ligt is missing and West Ham will likely play into the spaces that open up when United’s fullbacks push forward.
Manchester United are likely to stick with Carrick’s 4-2-3-1, although this is more of a prediction than a confirmed XI. Lammens could retain his place behind Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, and Shaw. With de Ligt still out with back problems and Dorgu missing with a thigh injury, there is a strong case for continuity in defense. If changes are needed, Mazraoui or Yoro are the most obvious options for a reshuffle. Casemiro and Mainoo look likely to form a double pivot, giving Fernandes the freedom to operate between the lines, while Diallo and Mbeumo provide direct width. Cunha is expected to start up front, often dropping back to link up play and open up space for late runs from Fernandes. If Carrick wants fresh legs or more control, Ugarte and Mount are the obvious alternatives from the bench.
West Ham – Manchester United Head-to-head & Statistics
The last five encounters have been more evenly matched than the table suggests, with the most recent one ending in a 1-1 draw in December 2025. In July 2025, United won 2-1 in the Premier League Summer Series, but West Ham prevailed 2-0 in May 2025. Looking back at 2024, West Ham won 2-1 at home, while United’s best result in this series was a 3-0 home win in the same year. There is a clear pattern across these five games: each first half remained below 1.5 goals, which suggests cautious starts and a lot of probing until spaces open up. At the same time, all games ended with more than 1.5 goals and remained consistently below 3.5, so the range in between was something of a comfort zone. More goals tended to be scored in the second half, which fits in well with the idea that the game opens up once the initial tactical blocking is broken.
