The Hammers have struggled since the start of the year, while their opponents are currently bottom of the Premier League table and staring relegation in the face.

West Ham

A season that started so promisingly for West Ham is ending in disappointment and it seems as though many of their players have already got their minds focused on their holiday plans for the summer.

There were many who felt that the club could secure a place in Europe after a superb run of form in the opening months of the campaign and a 2-0 victory over Leicester City just before Christmas lifted them up to fourth place.

However, that proved to be as good as it would get for the Hammers and since Boxing Day they have only won two league games and have tumbled all the way down to 11th in the table, to completely destroy any chance they had of qualifying for the Europa League.

They are yet to win any of their four matches in April and last weekend they played out a disappointing goalless draw against Queens Park Rangers. It could well have been much worse for them if Adrian hadn't saved Charlie Austin's penalty.

Their problems on the pitch have led to intense speculation that Sam Allardyce will be leaving the club when his contract expires in the summer. He has received criticism from supporters for a number of his team's displays, with their 4-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup a particular lowlight.

The Hammers could still finish in the top half, with Everton only above them in the table on goal difference, but injuries have cost them dearly and they are likely to be without a number of first-choice players again this weekend.

Recent form: LWLDLD

Burnley

Although West Ham fans may be unhappy with how their club's season has gone, Burnley would trade places with them in a heartbeat, as they are on the verge of being relegated from the Premier League.

They are currently propping up the league table and are five points away from getting out of the relegation zone, with only four games of the season left to play.

The Clarets have lost their three previous games and the most recent of those against Leicester last weekend was the most heartbreaking for the players and their supporters.

In a crucial relegation battle, the game was goalless when they were awarded a penalty, but Matthew Taylor placed the spot kick against the post. Their opponents immediately went up the other end and Jamie Vardy bundled the ball in to condemn them to a 1-0 defeat.

They have now gone five games without a win, while their only victory in their last 13 matches was a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City last month.

A real problem for them has been finding the back of the net and they have failed to score in six of their last seven outings. It is an issue that they had to contend with all season and their tally of 26 league goals is the joint worst in the top flight alongside Aston Villa.

Recent form: WLDLLL

Team News

Reece Burke in action for West Ham on August 9, 2014

Allardyce has confirmed that teenager Reece Burke will play for West Ham, after making his first league start against QPR last weekend.

Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Diafra Sakho, Guy Demel and Andy Carroll are all still ruled out, but Alex Song has returned to training and is available for selection.

Meanwhile, Sam Vokes could miss out for Burnley due to a minor thigh injury that he will have assessed before the game.

However, Ashley Barnes is back after serving a one-match suspension last weekend and he could come in to partner Danny Ings up front.

West Ham possible starting lineup:
Adrian, Jenkinson, Collins, Burke, Cresswell, Noble, Song, Kouyate, Downing, Jarvis, Valencia

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Heaton, Trippier, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Taylor, Jones, Arfield, Boyd, Barnes, Ings

Head To Head

West Ham claimed all the points when these teams met earlier this season, as they romped to a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor.

It continued a good run of form for the Hammers against Burnley, as they have lost just two of their previous 16 games against the Lancashire outfit.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: West Ham 2-0 Burnley

West Ham may be in poor form, but they will be heavily fancied to beat a Burnley side who are edging closer to the drop. Sean Dyche's side can't seem to pick up a result at the moment and we don't see that changing at Upton Park, where we are backing the Hammers to claim all three points.