Even Nostradamus Couldn't Predict Tonight's Hammers-Spurs Clash!

Tonight will be a big test for David Moyes' men as they look to bounce back from Saturday's dismal implosion at Newcastle. 

Having delivered 77 minutes of perfect Moyesball to lead 3-1, they managed to leak three goal and run out 4-3 losers!

Once again Kalvin Philips was a major culprit, this time giving away a soft penalty that signalled the start of the Magpies stunning comeback.

But the result aside, the Hammers showed that they are much more cohesive up front with the Antonio, Paqueta, Bowen and Kudus diamond. They just need to defend better at key moments.

Which makes Edison Alvarez's absence all the more relevant to tonight's game. 

Moyes has stuck with Saturdays hero-villains for his starting XI. 

With Spurs in dreadful away form God only knows what tonight will bring. Hopefully VAR won't be the final decider.

West Ham United: Fabiański, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma ©, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Souček, Paquetá, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio

Subs: Anang (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Phillips, Earthy, Cornet, Ings, Mubama

Busy busy busy as Hammers return to fight on domestic front

We are well and truly into the busy period now as David Moyes has shuffled the pack following Thursday's disappointing defeat to Freiberg, resting Zouma and Alvarez ahead of next Thursday's crunch second leg against the German side.

Burnley arrive today desperate for points in their deepening relegation battle. The Hammers are still luring around the margins of a European qualification spot after decent wins over Everton and Brentford. 

Up top, the Hammers look strong with Paqueta, Kudus and Bowen hoping to continue their good recent form. Antonio is on the bench and ready to deliver plan B if required. 

Burnley need to launch a Tevez-style great escape as they are bottom of the league, 11 points from safety with just 11 games to play. It's a welcome back to the London stadium for Josh Cullen who partners Sander Berge in the Burnley midfield where the game will be won or lost today.

The Hammers are 4/7 to win, Burnley 4/1, with the draw at 3/1. First goal will be crucial. Rory Nostradamus is going for a hard fought 2-1 win for Moyes' men. 

COYI!!!

West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Cresswell, Phillips, Souček ©, Ward-Prowse, Paquetá, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Johnson, Ogbonna, Zouma, Álvarez, Earthy, Ings, Antonio, Mubama

Time to focus - the business end of the season has truly begun

It's been a drab January at West ham, with an annoying cup exit to Bristol city, injuries and Afcon absences and an underwhelming transfer window.

The drawn games against Sheff Utd and Bournemouth have taken the energy out of Moyes' mens push for a European spot, while the continued absences of Paqueta and Antonio have left us sonewhat blunt up top.

That said, a win today at Ye Olde Trafford would raise the spirits and kick start our stuttering season.  The good news is that Coufal and Aguerd are back in the starting XI, while Alvarez and Bowen will be sharper as they recover from recent niggles.

Man Utd are also moving back towards their strongest side and will be buoyed by their win over Wolves. 

Let's hope Moyes doesn't go all cagey - a rarely successful strategy against the bigger clubs but one he seems to rigidly follow. This Man Utd side is certainly vulnerable if you attack them.

Anyone for a 2-2 draw? Moyes' men rarely fail to score these days but are not as tight at the back as they could be. Interestingly, Pablo Fornals is quoted at 11/2 to score by the bookies!!!

West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Johnson, Zouma ©, Aguerd, Emerson, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabiański (GK), Mavropanos, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Scarles, Phillips, Cornet, Ings, Mubama

Hammers dig deep as absences bite hard

It's pretty thin in the West ham dressing room right now with Kudus and Aguerd at the AFCON and Alvarez, Paqueta and Antonio injured. Said Benrahma starts his 3 match ban leaving a patched together side to face the Blades up in Sheffield.

Yes, it's still a grudge match and both sides really needs points just now, albeit for very different reasons with the Hammers perched to attack the European slots, while Sheff United are rock bottom of the league.

All in all the availability of Bowen and Fornals is a plus but there are no gamechangers on the bench which contains a host of youngsters. 

It'll be a testy clash for sure and conditions will surely add to the mix. It might be more heavy metal than ballet out there today but hopefully the Hammers can find that extra moment of class.

COYI!!!

WEST HAM: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson Palmieri, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Cornet,  Fornals, Ings, Bowen

Ouch! Moyes starting XI signals serious intentions

There can be no doubting that David Moyes plans to make swift progress in the FA cup as he has fielded his strongest available XI for today's third roud clash with Bristol City!

In come Zouma, Paqueta and Coufal with al the usual big game starters. Perhaps Moyes was bruised by the Carabou cup thrashing at Liverpool, or maybe with a break looming he wants his players to have some fun?

Yes, the forbidden 'F' word....fun, fun, fun.

Let's do this

COYI!!!

West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Zouma ©, Mavropanos, Emerson, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Fornals, Bowen

Subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Ings, Ogbonna, Coventry, Benrahma, Cornet, Mubama

Let's keep the happy holiday spirit going

It's FA cup time as Championship mid-tablers Bristol City visit the London Stadium hoping to deliver an upset against high flying West Ham. 

The Hammers are depleted with Aguerd and Kudus on International duty, and both Zouma and Paqueta due to have fitness tests before the team is announced. 

David Moyes will want to avoid a defeat or a replay to allow for a much-needed fortnight's rest before our next Premiership clash with Sheffield United. After an excellent Christmas period with wins over Man Utd and Arsenal, and no goals conceded for four consecutive games, it's a tall order for Bristil City today, but the Cup is the cup, and usual bets are often put aside in what remains a fantastic competition.

Today's game could provide a farewell appearance for Said Benrahma who is rumoured to be Fulham bound in the transfer window.

Divin Mubama will be hoping for a rare start and a chance to lay stake to a key place in Moyes plans as Danny Ings may also be on his way out of the club leaving a sizeable gap at centre forward with Michail Antonio struggling for fitness (and form). 

Kick off is 2pm. Verywestham will be watching from The Inn Place in Puerto Del Carmen - a fine Hammers hostelry for vacationing Irons. It also features an impressive display of Hammers memorabilia throughout the bar.

The bookies have West ham at 4/11 on to win, 3/1 the draw and 6/1 for a Robins win.

COYI!!!