da betway： West Ham host Burnley in a massive encounter at the London Stadium this evening. It’s a match that could go a long way to sorting out the order of things come the end of the season with both sides likely to be hovering in or around the bottom third of the table.
da prosport bet： A West Ham win would catapult them to within a point of Sean Dyche’s men, whereas a rare away result for the Clarets could move them well clear of relegation worries.
Both teams come into the match on the back of good weekend results. The Irons earned a very good point away to Liverpool while Burnley picked up all three points in a 3-2 home win over Bournemouth.
The two sides have lost as many games in their last six Premier League matches as each other, both being defeated three times. It’s Burnley who are showing more spirit, though, also picking up two wins to West Ham’s zero.
Where will this one be won and lost, who are the key men for both sides?
Here are our THREE key battles that will decide the outcome of Wednesday night’s game…
Andy Carroll vs. Michael Keane
Bilic has been slowly ramping up Andy Carroll’s game time since his return from injury. He scored off the bench against Arsenal and again featured in the trip to Anfield, so tonight’s game could be the perfect time to finally unleash him from the start in front of a home crowd and against a team struggling for away form.
The task of containing him falls to Michael Keane, who has been one of Burnley’s top performers this season – and that’s despite the Clarets conceding at least two goals in their last five Premier League matches. Strong in the air and with excellent positional sense he’s a good match for Carroll, but can he stop the big man bulldozing his way to a West Ham victory?
Dimitri Payet vs. Steven Defour
With five Premier League assists this season, Dimitri Payet is still proving to be one of, if not the most, effective Hammers player.
Also chipping in with two goals, including one at the weekend away to Klopp’s Liverpool, he is a key threat to Burnley’s chances of obtaining a result at the London Stadium.
Steven Defour will need to put in a truly special performance in the middle of midfield to rein him in. He’s capable, too, and like Keane he’s having a fine season for the Clarets. With vast international and Champions League know-how and past experience containing some of the best playmakers in the world, there’s no-one better on offer for Burnley to stop Payet from scoring or creating chances.
Sam Vokes vs. Winston Reid
With four Premier League goals this season, Sam Vokes is Burnley’s top scorer and offers their best chance of picking up a result in London.
In his way will be Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna, a partnership that has been shown up more than a few times this season.
Reid is a fine centre-back, though, and it’s likely to be him who Bilic will turn to to keep the Clarets at bay. He was West Ham’s best player in the second half against Liverpool, winning aerial battles, clearing the ball multiple times and looking strong in the block.
If he can snuff out the likes of Vokes, the signs could look good for West Ham’s first victory in the Premier League since October.