West Ham United return to Upton Park on Saturday as they host Swansea City in the Premier League. It will be the Hammers’ penultimate game at their beloved home venue, and will no doubt be looking for a win to extend their record-breaking season total.
Form
West Ham are unbeaten in their previous ten Premier League games; last week saw Slaven Bilic’s team sweep aside West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns after a surprisingly open first half. A goal from Cheikhou Kouyate and two from captain Mark Noble saw the Hammers stay sixth in the Premier League, West Ham will be keen to stay on tails of fifth placed Manchester United as they face them next week in a midweek meeting; four points currently separate the two teams.
However, a win over Swansea will not come easy, especially when considering their huge victory last week over Liverpool. Two goals by André Ayew and a superb curling effort from Jack Cork saw the Swans defeat the Reds 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium. With just a point between thirteenth and 11th place in the Premier League, Francesco Guidolin’s team will be eager to take three points back to Swansea with the possibility of Watford and Everton above them dropping points this weekend.
Team news
West Ham United have confirmed that they will be without the services of goalkeeper Adrian due to a suspected calf injury, Darren Randolph is set to replace the Spaniard after some fantastic performances in both the Premier League and particularly the FA Cup this season. There is a growing fear that Adrian may also miss West Ham’s remaining fixtures, including next week’s massive game against Manchester United.
Swansea will be missing a few of their heroic performers who defeated Liverpool last week; Jefferson Montero and Gylfi Sigurdsson are the latest reported injury problems for the Swans. Striker Alberto Paloschi will also sit out the trip to East London, however with two goals in his last game, Ayew is more than capable of leading the line on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups
West Ham United: Randolph; Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate; Antonio, Payet, Lanzini; Emenike.
Swansea City: Fabianski; Naughton, Amat, Fernandez, Rangel; Cork, Fer, Ki; Routledge, Gomis, Ayew.
A must win game for both teams, particularly as we come to the end of a remarkable Premier League season. Slaven Bilic will be hoping that his team can gain another three points in their penultimate game at the Boleyn Ground, Swansea will be looking to build on their superb victory last week against Liverpool.