West Ham United are on the back of a morale boosting 2-2 draw against Liverpool and will be desperate to utilise this momentum when they face Burnley on Wednesday at the London Stadium. The fact the draw against the Reds came at Anfield will be even more of a boost for the Hammers. They have seldom had anything to cheer about this season and desperately need some kind of run to get the spirits soaring again. They haven’t won any match since 30th October having drawn one and lost the other and this has been the norm for the last 6 matches.
They will be facing a Burnley side who broke their 3-match losing streak with a 3-2 win against Bournemouth. Burnley have already pulled off two shocks after defeating Liverpool and drawing against Manchester United at Old Trafford. While the Hammers will be quietly confident, the match might turn out to be closer than what many are anticipating.
Let us take a brief look at 3 key battles.
DIMITRI PAYET VS MATTHEW LOWTON
West Ham United is heavily reliant on Dimitri Payet and it is understandable given the level he is at with respect to the other players at their disposal. The Hammers will be considering themselves lucky to have a player who can arguably be termed as world-class. Bilic has to get his tactics right so that the team can perform to their full potential. He has scored twice but his six assists have been even more telling especially with the aerial prowess of Antonio. Lowton will have the unenviable task of facing Payet and he has to be at his best in order to neutralise the Frenchman’s threat.
SAM VOKES VS WINSTON REID
Sam Vokes has had to deal with a change in formation and has been playing by himself up top. Andre Gray has lost his starting spot and Vokes has to put himself about for Burnley to put pressure on the West Ham defence. He has already scored 4 goals and is the highest scorer for the goal-shy Clarets.
Winston Reid has been one of the positives for them in defence and he has impressed in attacking areas as well. Reid will look to cancel Vokes’s impact and Burnley have to be wary of them in advanced areas as well. He has scored once and assisted 3 more.
MICHAIL ANTONIO VS STEPHEN WARD
The Englishman has carried his form from last season and has been emphatic in front of goal. Fullbacks have been unable to contain him irrespective of the opposition. His aerial ability has been lethal and he has easily dominated opposition defenders in the air. Already on 7 goals, his partnership with Payet will once again be key. Stephen Ward has been playing at left-back and will be tasked with keeping a tab on the imposing Antonio.
