MATCH PREVIEW // WEST HAM HOPE TO RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST BURNLEY

By Daniel Mcinally 

West Ham United return to London Stadium this Saturday in a crucial game against Burnley in the Premier League. 

The two sides could not be any more evenly matched as the home side are currently 13th in the table with 8 points, the away side are two places but no points behind on 15th place. 

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has stressed the importance of getting all three points this weekend. 

“Yes, absolutely, we must win. We have the same feeling and same opinion after we finished the last game, that we did well, and we created a lot of options, we deserved better results but, for different reasons, we didn’t get the results that we wanted," the manager said.

“So, three points against Burnley at home is a must, it is a game in which we cannot fail.”  

Although the focus was on the game against Burnley, Pellegrini gave his thoughts on the devastating helicopter crash that has seen the football world mourn the loss of Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

“It was a really difficult moment for everyone, to know that this tragedy happened immediately after the game," added Pellegrini.

“It’s very difficult to give some words, but in life, you never know when you will pass away, but the most important thing is that when we already what people have talked about the Leicester Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, all his family must be very proud.”

Declan Rice was disappointed with the result last Wednesday after going out in the League Cup to Tottenham Hotspur, the 19-year-old however is looking forward to playing against Burnley, the side whom he made his Premier League debut last season. 

“We created a lot of chances again (On Wednesday). In the first ten or 15 minutes we caught them offside three of four times, but the first two goals came from mistakes and ricochets, both off the legs and they’ve been put through for two easy goals," said Rice. 

“The third one is also a mistake, but we’ve got to move on from that and concentrate on Burnley."

Burnley’s form of late has been disappointing, their last 2 games have seen them lose 4-0 at home to Chelsea and before that a 5-0 loss away at the Champions Manchester City, Sean Dyche will be eager for his side to get all three points at London Stadium.  

West Ham captain Mark Noble serves the second of his three-match suspension following his dismissal against Leicester, so won’t be available. Long-time absentees Jack Wilshere, Andy Carrol (both ankle), Winston Reid, Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko all miss out due to problems with their knees. 

Former Hammer keeper Joe Hart could play against West Ham at London Stadium for the first time since his loan spell last season, while Aaron Lennon returns to Burnley’s squad after missing their most recent game to Chelsea.