West Ham United v Burnley: Irons set to Hammer the Clarets

Burnley head to Upton Park this afternoon looking for their first away win of the season. Unfortunately for them, history is not on their side as they have only managed one win at the Boleyn Ground in their last 19 visits! However, West Ham haven’t been so prolific at home themselves, with only one win to their name.

The Hammers have blown two two-goal leads twice in the past three weeks and only sit out of the relegation places on goal difference. And with Hull City and Birmingham City both finding form, it’s imperative that West Ham win today to move away from the dreaded drop zone.

This will be the Clarets’ first away trip since taking a point off the big spenders Manchester City at Eastlands and they will be looking to build on that platform. Superb at home and awful away, there are signs that Burnley have discovered how to play on the road and they will be confident of beating a side six places and points below them.

The one thing that you can be assured of from today’s clash is swift, attacking football as both clubs like to play the game the right way. There should also be a lot of goalmouth action as there has only been one goalless draw between the sides since 1928.

Injury-ravaged Kieron Dyer should be available for selection by Gianfranco Zola and James Tomkins is also expected to be fit, but the Hammers look to be without the leadership qualities of Matthew Upson.

Burnley have no new injury concerns and Owen Coyle may decide to play the same team for the fifth game in a row.

Burnley’s last win in East London was 36 years ago and no-one on the Panel sees that changing this afternoon.

West Ham United v Burnley; Kick Off 3pm 28 Nov 2009

Prediction Panel
Our panel contains both Squarefootball writers and readers, the writers are marked: (sqf).

Dave Blackburn : 2 - 1
Chris Cox : 2 - 1
Graham Enwright : 2 - 1
Sue Gardener : 2 - 2
Chris Goodwin : 2 - 1
Paul Grech (sqf) : TBC
Colin Illingworth (sqf) : 3 - 2
Hugh Larkin (sqf) : 1 - 0
Peter Lee : 1 - 0
Don McMahon : 1 - 0
Antony Melvin (sqf) : 1 - 1
Paul O'Meara (sqf) : TBC
Dave Nash : 1 - 0
Stephen Orford (sqf) : TBC
Tony Ratton : 2 - 1
Peter Rendle : 1 - 0
Dan Taylor : 3 - 3
Andy Wakeman : 2 - 1
Isaac Williams : 2 - 0
Mark Williams : TBC

Panel Verdict

It looks as though the Hammers will have their hands on three crucial points come 5pm.

Home: 13; Draw: 3; Away: 0; TBC: 4.

* Do we have it right, or do you know better? Please don't bother with derisory comments on the predictions after the match - unless you also pulled us up before it!