MATCH PREVIEW // WATFORD VISIT AS HAMMERS EYE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE WIN

By Daniel Mcinally 

West Ham United will aim to end 2018 at London Stadium with a fifth victory in a row, Manuel Pellegrini’s side welcoming Watford to the venue as one of the form teams in the league, winning their last four Premier League games. 

The Hammers have been in inspired form after the defeat to Manchester City just a few weeks ago and will now aim to make it five league wins on the bounce, a feat last achieved in 2006.  

Manager Pellegrini is upbeat about his chances and is even looking towards the top six as a target, with Manchester United only two points and three places ahead of his side in sixth. 

“The most important thing is to be in the top six at the end of the season, there are still 21 games to go. We are in a good moment now, so we must try to take it game by game and add points,” Pellegrini said. 

“We understand that around us there are big teams like Everton and Manchester United, teams that are having good seasons like Wolves and Watford, so we have just finished the first round but at least after starting with four defeats, it could have been very difficult to be where we are now.” 

The visiting team started the season incredibly well but results eventually caught up to them and now lie a place behind West Ham on goals conceded. 

“Watford started the season very well, the opposite of us and they won their first four games after that maybe their results were not so good, but they have improved in their last games,” added Pellegrini. 

“I know their manager, Javi Garcia, and he is one that wants to play good football and in an attacking style, so it will be a tough game.” 

Summer arrival Lukasz Fabianski has praised the mentality Manuel Pellegrini has instilled in his players, saying it has been key to their resurgent form.

“We understand more what his demands are, especially on the mental side of the game, his approach and how he wants his team to behave on the pitch in different circumstances," said the goalkeeper.

“Watford are a very strong side, they started the season very well and they have some very strong players in their squad, so it’ll be a tough game for us. They’re doing well in the table, so I guess it will be a very exciting game.” 

The game comes too quickly for talisman Marko Arnautovic who is set to return to training next week as he recovers his comeback from a hamstring injury. The manager is however hopeful the Lucas Perez will return to action following a foot problem. Jack Wilshere, Manuel Lanzini, Andriy Yarmolenko, Ryan Fredericks, Winston Reid, and Carlos Sanchez all remain on the side line.