Two struggling teams, West Ham and Man United, meet today (17.00) in a clash where neither manager has room for error, as both Julen Lopetegui and Erik ten Hag’s jobs have recently been hanging in the balance. The Spaniard took over the team, a UEFA Conference League winner only two years ago, with the idea of returning to the European scene. Instead, West Ham are close to relegation battle, having won only two Premier League games so far.Hey, neighbours, can you give us a lift? No, get lostAnd what should be said about the struggling United? The 13th spot on the PL table and only one victory in the previous seven matches in all competitions speak volumes. And as if the poor form and pale performances were not enough, Ten Hag faces some serious squad problems, as he won’t have as many as eight players at his disposal today.🚨⚠️ Manchester United tests confirm that Antony suffered a sprained ankle.Brazilian winger will surely miss the next game vs West Ham. pic.twitter.com/e8bbc69H49— Goalscentre (@goalcentre_) October 26, 2024 The latest injured is Antony, who spent only 16 minutes on the pitch against Fenerbahce on Thursday before being removed from the field on a stretcher and leaving the stadium on crutches with a protective boot on his left leg. The Brazilian has allegedly sprained his ankle and will miss some time – not much, but enough to intensify Ten Hag’s headaches, as the winger joined Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount, and Kobbie Mainoo on the list of sidelined players.Ten Hag cites injuries as key factor in Man Utd’s strugglesHence, the Dutchman won’t have many alternatives and room for mixing things up, especially in defence, where the quartet of Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Victor Lindelof, and Lisandro Martinez is expected to start again. The only Ten Hag’s dilemma could refer to the centre-forward position, where he’ll have to choose between Joshua Zirkzee, who assisted for Christian Eriksen’s goal against Fenerbahce, and Rasmus Hojlund, who netted the winner in the previous Premier League round against Brentford.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 9Friday Leicester – Nott.Forest 1-3 (1-1)/Vardy 23 – Yates 16, Wood 47, 60/Saturday Aston Villa – Bournemouth 1-1 (0-0)/Barkley 76 – Evanilson 90+6/Brentford – Ipswich 4-3 (2-2)/Wissa 44, Clarke 45+1 og, Mbeumo 51 pen, 90+6 – Szmodics 28, Hirst 31, Delap 86/Brighton – Wolverhampton 2-2 (1-0)/Welbeck 45, Ferguson 85 – Ait-Nouri 88, Cunha 90+3/Man.City – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Haaland 5/Everton – Fulham 1-1 (0-0)/Beto 90+4 – Iwobi 61/Sunday 17.00: (1.80) Chelsea (3.70) Newcastle (4.40)17.00: (4.30) Crystal Palace (3.60) Tottenham (1.85)17.00: (3.05) West Ham (3.60) Man.Utd. (2.40)19.30: (2.50) Arsenal (3.45) Liverpool (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
