West Ham vs Manchester United betting tips

In the overall head to head record of meetings between West Ham and Man Utd, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there is not much between the two sides. However, as things stand, their is a wide expanse of 30 points separating them and, for all that the Hammers will give their all when entertaining the Red Devils at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday, they will be readily outpointed. Indeed, the current United side is full of confidence and, in a season when most thought that a third successive Premiership title was a mere formality for Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson's men have taken their game to a new, higher level, and they should remain at least five points clear of the Blues come 6pm on Sunday evening. What has made United so irresistible this season is that they are virtually as good away as they are at home. They are unbeaten in eight Premiership matches away from the Theatre Of Dreams this term, winning seven and being held to a draw just once. They've scored a staggering 18 times on their travels and conceded just five - a truly outstanding achievement. Players old and new have been excelling. Despite their advancing years in the context of a footballer, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have all been playing as well as ever, while Louis Saha has stepped out of the wilderness of injury to form a formidable strike partnership with Wayne Rooney - that duo have netted 16 goals between them in the league during the current campaign. However, the shining star have been Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Although never far away from controversy - and sometimes his theatrics are unbearable - you have to admire the 21-year-old's confidence and resilience. And, under the unparalleled guidance of Sir Alex, the boy is starting to come of age. Ronaldo will terrorise the Hammers' defence on Sunday and, if they're not careful, things could get bloody for the home side. It is hard to know what to expect of west Ham in this game, their first under the new Alan Curbishley regime. It is often the case that a team will play above themselves in a new manager's first game. But the east London have scored just twice in their last seven Premiership matches; have conceded eight in their last three; and have won just one of their last six fixtures. These stats do not bode well for a side facing a rampant Man Utd. And, I have to say, I am surprised that the visitors can be backed at 5/4 to win to nil with Paddy Power. Given West Ham's impotence it's hard to envisage them penetrating Man Utd's rock solid defence, and anything other than a United victory is inconceivable, so this offering could look decidedly generous come Sunday evening. Verdict - 2.5pts Man Utd to win to nil @ 5/4 (Paddy Power)