West Ham United host Watford at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as they look to carry on their recent excellent form.
The Hammers have won their previous four Premier League games heading into this one - most recently, a comfortable 2-0 win over London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Watford were also victorious last week, as they survived a late scare against Cardiff City to win 3-2 last Saturday.
Team News
Jack Wilshere is yet again absent for the Irons with an ankle injury that has caused him to miss the last three games.
Lucas Perez could return from a foot problem but West Ham will be without several key players; including Marko Arnautovic, Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko.
Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue is expected to be recalled following a three-match suspension.
However, Andre Gray, Will Hughes, Adalberto Penaranda, and Sebastian Prodl are all sidelined with injuries.
The Managers
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini has been explaining the importance of December in any Premier League season.
"I always say that December is a key month for any team," the Chilean explained. "We need to play so many games - seven in December - that this could be the part of the year that decides a team's future.
"We've started well in December but we're missing players."
Watford head coach Javi Gracia insisted his team will keep the same attitude as usual despite facing an in-form West Ham team.
"We know they [West Ham] are full of confidence and they are in a good moment, but we don't feel different," Gracia said.
"We usually keep the same attitude in all our games and play as we know we can. We are going to play five matches in 15 days, and we know that it is important to keep our level, play our way, and I am sure at the end of the season we will achieve our objective."
Match Stats
- Watford's win over Cardiff last weekend was their first in seven league games.
- They haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven Premier League matches, conceding at least twice in each of the last five.
- Jose Holebas has been directly involved in seven goals this season, scoring three and setting up four - more than any other Premier League defender.
- Felipe Anderson has been involved in eight Premier League goals for West Ham this season (six goals, two assists), more than any of his team mates.
- Michail Antonio has scored six goals in his last eight league appearances against Watford.
Betting Odds
- West Ham United: 11/8
- Draw: 5/2
- Watford: 21/10