West Ham seem to be a side on the up. Having spent most of the season in the bottom three, they have now crawled out and the bare facts of their recent form suggest they are a mid-table side rather than one heading for the drop – it’s 12 points in 7 games, albeit they survived a lot of pressure from Spurs to earn a point in their last match. Key man Scott Parker should be fit despite picking up a minor injury on England duty and the Hammers have goals in them with Demba Ba, Carlton Cole and Thomas Hitzlsperger. Their recent record though against Manchester United – in the Premier League, needs some work.

Manchester United welcome back a key element in their defence with the return of Nemanja Vidic, but Paul Scholes is banned, along with defender Jonny Evans. Their problem all season has been finding ways to win away from home, it’s 8 draws in 13 road matches so far and 4 victories, not the traditional stuff which wins Premier League titles. They also have a poor record so far in the capital this season.