Manchester City - West Ham Match Preview

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Allardyce: Suarez among best in the world

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has hailed striker Luis Suarez as one of the world's best footballers, and is fully aware of the Uruguay international's threat ahead of their clash with Liverpool.

The Premier League leaders visit Upton Park on Sunday, with West Ham facing the unenviable task of trying to halt the Merseyside club's 13-match unbeaten league run, which includes eight straight victories.

The Reds' title challenge has been forged around the strike partnership between Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, with the duo combining for 49 top-flight goals this season.

Allardyce reserved particular praise for Suarez, who he places "in the top two or three in the world".

"At the moment I think that the Liverpool team, in terms of its form and results, is operating at 100 per cent," he said.

"When you have two quality strikers of the ilk of Sturridge and Suarez then the rest of the team know that somewhere along the line they're going to put the ball in the back of the net if they provide the service for them.

"At the moment he [Suarez] now finds himself in the top two or three in the world. The commitment he showed to Liverpool and they showed to him, seems to have given him that extra impetus this season to go out and be even better than he was after the problems he had.

"The combination with Sturridge has flourished where that looked a little concerning in the early stages as neither wanted to play in a wide position.

"That seems to have all come together now and the rest of the team is providing the service behind them and has grown in quality and confidence."

Liverpool will undoubtedly begin the match as favourites, but West Ham head into the encounter with back-to-back 2-1 victories over Hull City and Sunderland.

And Allardyce is hopeful of giving Brendan Rodgers' men a run for their money.

He added: "We're on a top-six run of form at the moment and hopefully that will give us the chance to challenge Liverpool on Sunday."

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West Ham keen on Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen

Sam Allardyce admits he’d be keen to take Thomas Vermaelen from Arsenal, but concedes any deal is unlikely for the Gunners captain.

Vermaelen has found himself unable to displace either Per Mertesacker or Laurent Koscielny from the Gunners’ starting XI, and has only made 11 appearances in all competitions this season.

This has led to speculation the Belgian could be making a move away from the Emirates, but Allardyce is convinced Arsenal have no intention of selling.

‘I think under the circumstances at Arsenal, in the position that they’re in, in the Champions League and cup matches, they’ve had to use him as soon as any of the two defenders have been injured,’ he said.

‘So I don’t think there’s any chance we’ll get somebody of his quality. It would be nice if I we could.

‘I’ve had targets and I haven’t got one yet apart from Roger Johnson, so I’ll keep going and hope we get some.’

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West Ham United v Arsenal: match preview

Thursday, December 26, 2013

West Ham United v Arsenal
Upton Park
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

West Ham (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Adrian; Demel, Collins, Tomkins, McCartney; Noble; Taylor, Nolan, Diame, Jarvis; Maiga.
Out: Carroll (foot), Downing (Achilles), Petric (calf), Reid (ankle), Vaz Te (shoulder).

Arsenal (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Cazorla, Özil; Giroud.
Out: Diaby, Oxlade-Chamberlain (both knee), Sanogo (back), Wilshere (suspended).
Test: Koscielny (knee).

Referee: Phil Dowd. Matches: 12, R0 Y49.

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Collins blasts 'cheating' Januzaj over dive

West Ham defender James Collins has accused Adnan Januzaj of "cheating", after the Manchester United midfielder was booked for diving at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Red Devils starlet was shown a yellow card for simulation after throwing himself to the ground with the 30-year-old centre-half in close proximity.

The 18-year-old was warned by his manager David Moyes not to let diving "creep into his play" and Collins is confident the Belgian-born youngster will heed that advice.

However, the Wales international was nontheless unequivocal in his view of the incident with Januzaj.

"It's cheating, basically," Collins told Sky Sports News.

"I don't like to see it in the game. He probably thinks I am going to stick my leg out and he's probably already thinking about going over.

"Obviously he's taken a dive. He's a young lad, a great player, I'm sure he will learn.

"David Moyes seems to have this conversation quite a lot at his club with Ashley Young.

"It happens in football. He (Januzaj) is a great player and played very well at the weekend. He's learning the game and if he carries on playing the way he is, he is going to be a top-drawer player."

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Manchester United vs West Ham : Match Preview

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Manchester United v West Ham United
Old Trafford
Kick-off: 15.00 GMT.
TV: Highlights, BBC ONE Match of the Day.

Manchester United (Possible, 4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Jones, Giggs; Valencia, Januzaj, Welbeck; Hernandez.
Out: Van Persie (thigh), Carrick (Achilles), Nani (hamstring).
Tests: Rooney (groin), Vidic (knock), Fellaini (back).

West Ham (Possible, 4-3-3): Jaaskelainen; Demel, Tomkins, Collins, McCartney; Diame, Morrison, Noble; Cole, Maiga, Jarvis.
Out: Nolan (suspended), Reid (ankle), Downing (calf), Carroll (heel), Vaz Te (shoulder) Petric (thigh).
Test: Tomkins (groin)

Referee: Michael Jones. Matches: 14, R2 Y43.

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