.
vs
Liverpool FC
Upton Park, London
Saturday, 2nd January 2016,
12:45 GMT
****
Liverpool FC travel to Upton Park for an early Saturday kick off, hoping to avenge their 3-0 loss at Anfield early in the season that derailed their season before it had begun.
Having arrested their latest slide with back to back 1-0 wins over Leicester City and Sunderland, Liverpool will be hoping to win their third in a row against a high flying West Ham. The Hammers are unbeaten in their last seven games and are just a point behind their opponents on Saturday evening.
Slaven Bilic will be hoping that his men can build on from their first win in seven games, when they beat Southampton 2-1, and record a double over the Anfield outfit.
West Ham Team News & Tactics
Bilic is expected to field a tight 4-2-3-1 formation, hoping to make it difficult for their opponents to break them down.
Dmitri Payet has resumed full training for the first time since November and could be in line for at least a bench role.
The Croatian is expected to go with former Liverpool FC attacker Andy Carroll up front, being assisted by Antonio and Lanzini on the flanks.
Noble, Kouyate and Song will form the midfield three looking to act as the link between the defence and attack.
Cresswell is a doubt for the game, having missed the Saints tie with a muscle injury and Carl Jenkinson will continue in the left back role in his absence, with Tomkins on the right side. Goalkeeper Adrian will be protected by the central defensive pairing of Collins and Ogbonna.
Predicted West Ham XI (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Tomkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Jenkinson; Song, Kouyate, Noble, Antonio, Lanzini,Carroll
Liverpool FC Team News & Tactics
Captain Jordan Henderson is unlikely to feature in the game, having limped off in the tie against Sunderland with a heel problem that has plagued him for over a year, now.
Lucas Leiva replaced him from the bench then and the Brazilian is likely to be given the nod against West Ham, too. Daniel Sturridge is also fit, but is unlikely to be picked right away given his injury record.
The back 5 remains the same as last game with Mignolet in goal, Moreno and Clyne in fullback positions and Sakho, Lovren in central roles. The centre midfield will be completed by Emre Can.
Jordon Ibe may come in for Adam Lallana, who is unlikely to play his third game in 8 days. Coutinho, Firmino and Benteke will be expected to cause the maximum damage to West Ham as they spearhead Liverpool attack.
Predicted Liverpool FC Line Up (4-4-2): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Coutinho, Ibe; Firmino, Benteke
Man to watch: Coutinho
The Brazilian has been uncharacteristically quiet in his recent outings for Liverpool. The game represents an ideal opportunity for him to avenge his poor showing the last time Liverpool faced West Ham.
Coutinho was sent off and Liverpool crashed to a 3-0 defeat, having made a very good start to the season. He will be looking to get back to his best and inflict the same suffering on Slaven Bilic’s men as they had done on his side in August.
Match Facts:
- West Ham are unbeaten in 7 games.
- Liverpool FC will be looking to win 3 games in a row in the league for the second time this season.
Predictions: West Ham 1-1 Liverpool FC
West Ham under Bilic are a tough nut to crack, especially against big sides. Liverpool FC’s recent struggles against sides that drop deep is enough to suggest that they will find the resilient West Ham defence hard to break down.
Blast from the past
Who could forget this amazing game the two sides played out in the FA Cup Final in 2006. A proper cup final that saw West Ham almost win the tie, only for the legendary Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard to make it the ‘Gerrard Final’.
