West Ham vs Man Utd

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Upton Park Date: Saturday, 5 December 2009 Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary BBC London DAB, DSAT & Online, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live, local radio, Final Score & highlights on Match of the Day

• TEAM NEWS

West Ham are hoping England defender Matthew Upson can recover from a hamstring injury.

Carlton Cole and Valon Behrami (both knee) are definitely out, but Kieron Dyer may feature after playing 75 minutes for the reserves on Monday.

Manchester United could welcome back Edwin van der Sar after three games out with a knee injury.

But defenders Jonny Evans (calf) and John O'Shea (thigh) look set to remain on the sidelines.

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West Ham

Doubtful: Diamanti (thigh), Upson (hamstring)

Injured: Ashton (ankle), Behrami (knee), Boa Morte (knee), Cole (knee), Davenport (leg)

Man Utd

Doubtful: Evans (calf), Fabio (groin), O'Shea (thigh), Van Der Sar (knee)

Injured: Ferdinand (calf), Hargreaves (knee)

• MATCH PREVIEW

There have been more goals scored at Upton Park this season than at any other Premier League ground.

Gianfranco Zola's commitment to attacking football has seen his side score in 11 consecutive matches, culminating in putting five past Burnley last weekend.

The concern for Hammers fans is at the other end of the pitch - they have shipped eight goals in their last three games and haven't kept a clean sheet since August.

The Hammers' brittle backline is sure to be closely examined by visitors Manchester United, who head to Upton Park in confident mood and desperate to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea, who face a tricky away trip to Manchester City later in the day.

United have struggled at West Ham in recent seasons, with two defeats in their last three trips to east London. But the champions did the double over Zola's men last season without conceding a goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy concentrating on the next generation of United first-teamers this week, with a youthful side impressing against Tottenham in the Carling Cup quarter-finals. Eighteen-year-old striker Federico Macheda has been tied to a long-term deal, but the Old Trafford club have ended their interest in Partizan Belgrade teenager Adem Ljajic.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• These sides have met on 117 previous occasions. Man Utd have won 52 to West Ham's 41.

West Ham

• Gianfranco Zola's side started the season with clean sheets in two of their opening three games. They have since conceded 24 goals in 11 league matches.

• They have conceded at least two goals in nine of their last 10 Premier League games.

• There have been more goals (30) at Upton Park than at any other Premier League ground this season.

• If he plays, Mark Noble is set make his 100th league appearance for the club.

Man Utd

• Manchester United are the only team in the Premier League who have not dropped any points from a winning position in the league this season.

• United have won 12 Premier League away games in 2009, more than any other side.

• Edwin van der Sar has saved 83% of all shots on target, a league high.

• The game is Sir Alex Ferguson's 1,300th in charge of the Red Devils.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

West Ham

Cole: 7 goals (7 league); Stanislas: 4 goals (2 league)

Man Utd

Rooney: 11 goals (10 league); Berbatov: 4 goals (4 league); Owen: 4 (2 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Walton

Assistant referees: Stuart Burt & Shaun Procter-Green

Fourth official: Paul Taylor

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

West Ham (W5-3 v Burnley, h): Green, Spector, Da Costa, Gabbidon, Ilunga, Collison (Faubert 77), Kovac, Parker, Stanislas, Cole (Hines 46), Franco (Jimenez 59). Subs Not Used: Kurucz, Noble, Nouble, Tomkins.

Man Utd (W4-1 v Portsmouth, a): Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick (Anderson 76), Scholes, Giggs, Valencia, Rooney. Subs Not Used: Foster, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Nani, De Laet.

• MOST RECENT MEETING

West Ham 0-1 Man Utd (8 February 2009)

West Ham scorer: Giggs 62

From BBC