Can Can Manchester United dispel the air of desperation surrounding the club with an EFL Cup victory over West Ham, at 7.45pm on Sky Sports 1?

Unlucky or not, Man United are on a pretty dismal run of form. In the 7 league games they have played since the start of October they have won just once, against Swansea, losing to Chelsea and drawing the other 5. Their most recent point actually came against West Ham, making it 4 league draws at home in a row, a run they haven’t seen since 1980.



While likely a competition Mourinho likely didn’t want to take seriously, the EFL Cup now stands as one of United’s best chances of silverware this season, something that may inform his selection on Wednesday. Marcus Rashford could start, and sits at a Super Mega PGM of 30 - 36, while Anthony Martial is also at 30 – 36. If Mourinho opts for a slightly more typical frontline, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic is at 56 – 66.

Though United are in trouble, it is all relative when compared to the situation West Ham find themselves in. Sunday’s draw against United was a massive improvement for the Hammers; however, they are still only 1 point above the relegation zone, and have just 3 league wins under their belt this season. Luckily for the club their best performance so far arguably came in the EFL Cup when they knocked out Chelsea in the last round – yet even that was marred by the violence that followed at their new stadium.

Despite their failure to seal the deal at the weekend, our traders still fancy a home win, with Spreadex offering a Manchester United/West Ham Goal Supremacy spread of 1.3 - 1.5 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.85 – 3.05.

Elsewhere, Arsenal face their first Premier League opponents of the tournament when they host Southampton. Though there has been a whiff of their usual November issues, the Gunners have so far managed to avoid a complete collapse this month, with respectable, if scrappy, draws against Tottenham, Man United and PSG joined by wins against Ludogorets Razgrad and, most recently, Bournemouth.

The indefatigable Alexis Sanchez has continued to propel the club, his brace against the Cherries taking is tally in all competitions to 10 goals. Theo Walcott is just behind the Chilean with 9 goals this season, however with both players expected to be rested this evening the goalscoring onus will be on others.

So Wednesday may see an increasingly rare start for Olivier Giroud who, at a Super Mega PGM of 45 - 52, is becoming a bit of a (successful) plan B for Wenger. Spanish signing Lucas Perez could make his return from injury and sits on a Super Mega PGM spread of 41 – 48.

As for Southampton, they are having a disappointingly mid-table season, one compensated for by solid showings in both the Europa League and EFL Cup. Despite a defeat to Sparta Prague last week the Saints only need a point off Hapoel Be’er Sheva to progress in the former, while in the latter it has been 2 clean sheets against Premier League competition.

Though it took a 94th minute penalty to win earlier in the season, the Gunners have already racked up one win over their opposition, and it looks set to be another on Wednesday, with Spreadex offering an Arsenal/Southampton Goal Supremacy spread of 0.45 – 0.65 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.65 – 2.85.