Preview: West Ham United vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Premier League clash between West Ham United and Burnley, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

West Ham United play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to four matches.

While the Hammers currently occupy 10th position, the Clarets have remained in 16th spot after losing two of their last three fixtures.

Match preview

With Sebastien Haller being sold to Ajax, there is concern among the West Ham fanbase that they will be left short on attacking options during the second half of the campaign.

However, on the back of a four-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and the imminent involvement of young forward Ademipo Odubeko, Hammers supporters should still be optimistic regarding their future.

Their improvement during David Moyes‘s second spell in charge has inevitably raised expectation levels at the London Stadium, particularly with the club just six points behind third-placed Manchester City.

Moyes will recognise that he requires more in the final third for the club to remain in the top 10, but he will be delighted with three successive clean sheets from away games against Southampton, Everton and Stockport County.

While collecting just 12 points from eight home games has prevented the club from progressing further up the table, overcoming an improving Burnley outfit will keep West Ham on an upward trajectory.

Despite their recent blips versus Leeds United and Manchester United, the Clarets make the trip to the capital as a team very much on the up under Sean Dyche.

Those setbacks came by a 1-0 scoreline, with the 1-0 triumph over Sheffield United sandwiched in between keeping the club out of any immediate trouble.

Although Burnley only sit four points clear of the drop zone, their recent performances have left few people regarding the North-West side as genuine candidates for relegation.

Dyche will want to strengthen his threadbare squad during the January window, but any new arrivals are unlikely to dislodge any of the familiar faces in the first XI.

West Ham United Premier League form: WDLDDW
West Ham United form (all competitions): DLDDWW

Burnley Premier League form: WDWLWL
Burnley form (all competitions): DWLWDL

Team News

Dyche could hand a recall to winger Dwight McNeil after he made his return against Man United earlier this week.

With Robbie Brady switching to the right-hand side, Johan Berg Gudmundsson could drop out in what may be the only change to the team.

Charlie Taylor remains unavailable for Burnley as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

Providing that he passes a fitness test, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could return to the West Ham XI.

Michail Antonio should continue down the middle of the attack, with Odubeko being tipped to feature among the replacements after making his debut against Stockport.

West Ham United possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals; Antonio

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Brady, Brownhill, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood

We say: West Ham United 1-1 Burnley

With neither side making much of an impression in the final third of late, we do not expect many goals at the London Stadium. While the Hammers should have the majority of possession, it is difficult to back against the visitors claiming a share of the spoils.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.