Manchester United and West Ham United prepare for battle at Old Trafford in Saturday’s Premier League clash in a potentially pivotal game for both sides’ top-four hopes.In midweek David Moyes’ men went down 3-2 at home to Leeds United while the Red Devils prevailed 3-1 at Brentford.Such a result was a convincing way for Man United to end their two-game winless streak in the top flight but Rangnick’s side lie seventh in the rankings before this weekend’s crunch battle and the Red Devils are still rank outsiders when it comes to the top-four battle.Norwich climb out of the drop zone as Sargent’s barrage destroys WatfordThe hosts could certainly blow the Champions League race wide open with a victory here as the Hammers sit just two points above Man United having played a game more.Some concern to Rangnick comes in the form of their disappointing home tally – just one clean sheet from their last 15 Premier League games at Old Trafford.As far as West Ham go, they were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller at the London Stadium against Leeds six days ago. Thus, the Hammers’ four-game winning streak across all competitions came to a bitter end.Nevertheless, Moyes’ side are clinging onto that fourth and final Champions League spot by the thinnest of threads, as their today’s rivals – along with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal – are applying the pressure.Burgling into football star’s home seems to be a trend – several PSG stars, Cancelo, Otamendi and now LindelofTwo sides have met recently, in this season’s EFL Cup, and the Londoners got the better of Man United at Old Trafford. However, back in September, the Red Devils edged a tightly-fought contest 2-1 in the capital, as former Hammer Jesse Lingard scored a late stunner.Cristiano Ronaldo was not pleased with his 71st-minute substitution at Brentford, but the five-time Ballon d’Or winner should be in the starting eleven at the Theater of Dreams.For West Ham, Said Benrahma remains absent even though his Algeria is out of the Africa Cup of Nations.Further south, at St Mary’s Stadium, league leaders Manchester City will be looking to claim their 13th successive league victory when they face Southampton.Earlier this season, the Saints played out a goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium and if they secure all three points on home soil (chances for that are pretty slim) – they could move into the top 10.Man City boss Pep Guardiola feels Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse is the BEST free-kick taker in the world 🌍 pic.twitter.com/LFQpgtfbWa— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 21, 2022 Southampton’s set-piece king James Ward-Prowse scored an astonishing 35-yard free-kick six minutes from time against Wolves a week ago – only England legend David Beckham (18) has scored more Premier League free-kicks than Southampton’s captain (12).However, the loss to Wolves has seen Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men slip to 12th in the table – 11 points clear of the relegation zone and the same number of points behind the top seven.Manchester City fans are sure to feel confident of clinching their fourth top-flight crown in five years following their slender 1-0 win over title rivals Chelsea last weekend. Even so, Pep Guardiola insists that the title race is not over just yet. The Citizens now sit 11 points clear of Liverpool in second place, having played a game more and the Sky Blues seem to be unstoppable at present. Even without a standard ‘number nine’, Guardiola’s men continue to excel in front of goal – netting 34 times during their Premier League 12-game winning streak.The Citizens have found the heir to King Aguero’s throneCity are six points better off than at this stage last season, and another win would see them move 14 points clear at the summit.Same as West Ham’s Benrahma, Riyad Mahrez has been given time off after AFCON and Algeria’s disappointment. In-form trio Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo Silva should be operating in the midfield.As for the home team, wingers Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elyounoussi are set to miss out as they both tested positive for COVID-19 before the trip to Wolves. Moussa Djenepo is away with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 23FridayWatford – Norwich 0-3 (0-0)/Sargent 51, 74, Kucka 90+2 og/SaturdayEverton – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-1) IN PROGRESS18:00: (1.95) Man.Utd. (3.60) West Ham (4.20)18:00: (2.00) Leeds (3.60) Newcastle (4.00)18:00: (3.30) Brentford (3.00) Wolverhampton (2.55)20:30: (10.0) Southampton (6.25) Man.City (1.30)Sunday17:00: (2.65) Leicester (3.25) Brighton (2.90)17:00: (1.37) Arsenal (5.10) Burnley (10.0)17:00: (6.25) Crystal Palace (3.90) Liverpool (1.63)19:30: (1.75) Chelsea (3.70) Tottenham (5.40)***odds are subject to change
