West Ham

Wigan Athletic V West Ham United

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 15 May 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: DW Stadium

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Preview

Just 24 hours earlier, a champion will more than likely be crowned, with Manchester United set to clinch their 19th English league title on Saturday. In contrast, Sunday could see the first of three relegations, with West Ham United’s tenure in the Barclay’s Premier League hanging by the slimmest of threads – four-points adrift of safety with only two matches left to play – and defeat for Avram Grant’s side would confirm their exclusion from next season’s top-flight.

‘Now or Never’ – Expect all the clichés in the book to worm their way out on Sunday as Wigan Athletic and West Ham United do battle in the most significant relegation six-pointer of the season.

The onus is well and truly on the visitors however, who would be relegated should they register no points from their visit to the DW Stadium in Greater Manchester. A point wouldn’t be ideal either, as that could also relegate them should results elsewhere not go in their favour. So it really is a must-win clash for the Hammers, not that ‘winning’ has been their forte in recent weeks.

Their inability to secure maximum points in recent league assignment has contributed to their current demise, with West Ham having taken just two points from a possible 21 during a seven-match dour spell which has seen the Hammers go over two months without winning. But they couldn’t have come any closer to ending the drought than last Saturday, when creating a host of glorious openings at home to fellow survival hopefuls Blackburn Rovers but only converting one in a 1-1 draw – Carton Cole and Robbie Keane the main culprits – as Grant’s men remained rooted to the bottom of the league.

So whereas the pressure on West Ham has intensified since their failure to take all three-points from their clash with Blackburn at Upton Park, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes his team can have a more relaxed approach, that despite sitting just one place above the Hammers in the table.

The Latics reside in 19th, three-points above rock-bottom West Ham but just one point shy of safety meaning victory for them, what would be just their fifth at the DW Stadium all season, could see them leap out of the relegation places with only one game to go.

And Martinez’s men face an awkward trip to The Brittania Stadium on the last day, and so points in that particular fixture are certainly not a given – so while Martinez has done his best to deflect the pressure onto his opposite number, realistically this is Wigan’s easiest remaining fixture and undoubtedly a window of opportunity for them.

Performances of late have certainly been encouraging, though, for the Wigan boss. His team bossed proceedings at home to Everton two weeks ago while they were plucky away to Aston Villa eight-day previous, earning 1-1 draws in two tricky fixtures. Crucially, star man Charles N’Zogbia has stepped up to the plate in recent weeks, scoring in Wigan’s last two matches, and with this forward three of N’Zogbia, Victor Moses and Hugo Rodallega combining to decent affect of late, Wigan arguably stand a greater chance of coming out on top in this mammoth encounter, against a West Ham team who are desperately aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive away defeat this weekend.

Meanwhile, West Ham are so heavily reliant on their inspirational skipper. Scott Parker has reportedly returned to training but is not guaranteed to start Sunday’s ‘make or break’ visit to the DW, though centre-back Matthew Upson will return to shore up the defence. Mark Noble is out for the remainder of the term meaning Thomas Hitlzsperger will continue in the midfield, the German scoring the equaliser last weekend in the 1-1 home draw with Blackburn although some feel he could and should be doing more, especially as he posses one of the most powerful left-foots in the game.

Remaining games:

Wigan tackle Stoke City away while West Ham entertain Sunderland at Upton Park on the final day.

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Form

Wigan – LWLDD (Chelsea 1-0 Wigan, Blackpool 1-3 Wigan, Sunderland 4-2 Wigan, Wigan 1-1 Everton, Aston Villa 1-1 Everton)

West Ham – LLLLD (Bolton 3-0 West Ham, West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa, Chelsea 3-0 West Ham, Man City 2-1 West Ham, West Ham 1-1 Blackburn)

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Head-to-Head

Wigan wins: 4
Draws: 1
West Ham wins: 6

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: West Ham 3-1 Wigan
2009/2010: West Ham 3-2 Wigan
2009/2010: Wigan 1-0 West Ham
2008/2009: Wigan 0-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 2-1 Wigan
2007/2008: Wigan 1-0 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 1-1 Wigan
2006/2007: Wigan 0-3 West Ham
2006/2007: West Ham 0-2 Wigan

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Streaks & Trends

West Ham have won four of the previous five encounters with Wigan Athletic.

Wigan have won two of the five Premiership meetings in Greater Manchester (W2 D0 L3), winning both by a 1-0 scoreline.

Only Blackpool (17) have registered fewer points at home this season than Wigan (20), though no side has scored fewer goals on home soil than the Latics (19).

West Ham are without a win in seven, drawing two and losing five.

Furthermore, Avram Grant’s men will be aiming to avoid a fourth consecutive away defeat on Sunday, whilst also trying to better a dismal away record of W2 D7 L9.

Scott Parker has scored in his last two appearances against Wigan, though both were at Upton Park.

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Value Bets

Scott Parker to Score @ 6.50 SkyBet

The West Ham midfielder scored the last goal in a 3-2 victory over Wigan at Upton Park last season which confirmed West Ham’s participation in the current term (2010/2011). The England international has also scored in his last two appearances against the Latics.

Wigan to WIN 1-0 + Hugo Rodallega First Goalscorer @ 29.00 PaddyPower

Wigan have scored exactly one goal on seven occasions at home this season, and more times than not it is Hugo Rodeallega the scorer. A scorecast combining the two looks a cracking shout.

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Match Prediction: Wigan Athletic to WIN – 2.20 BetFred

I haven’t seen a great deal of late to suggest West Ham are about to put up a fight for their Premiership status. They should have beaten Blackburn at home last Saturday – they created more than enough chances to put Rovers to bed – but ended up with a disappointing draw which has left them rock-bottom of the league and in the unnerving knowledge that anything less than a win this Sunday would leave them exposed to the drop.

Some teams thrive off this type of situations; backs against the walls and all that, but you don’t get that feeling with West Ham. For starters, Avram Grant doesn’t fill me with confidence. Secondly, Scott Parker is one of a select few fighters in their squad and if he doesn’t make the team-sheet then the writing is well and truly on the wall, in my honest opinion – especially as Wigan have caught the eye of late with their sparkling displays against Everton and Aston Villa, matches where their quick and tricky forward trio of N’Zogbia, Moses and Rodallega caused numerous problems.

My biggest concern of all is should West Ham go a goal down, as then every single player, and supporter, would be well aware of severe consequences that awaits them unless they dig deep and find a response – and without Parker I wouldn’t rate their chances of mounting a winning recovery.

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Match Odds

Wigan Athletic – 2.20 BetFred
Draw – 3.40 PaddyPower
West Ham – 3.50 Bet365

West Ham United V Blackburn Rovers

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 7 May 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Upton Park

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Preview

After two excruciating outings, West Ham have three ‘make or break’ fixtures to save their season and spare them the heartbreak of relegation back to the Championship. It begins with Blackburn Rovers at home, who themselves aren’t out of the woods just yet and will be playing their part in this weekend’s one and only relegation six-pointer, before visiting fellow survival hopefuls Wigan at the DW in seven days time, just one week before they host a hapless and depleted Sunderland on the very last day of the season.

A win for either side would have a massive impact on this intense battle for survival. For West Ham, whom are rock-bottom of the Premier League on 32-points, it will give them genuine belief that they can avoid relegation, while it may even lift them out of the bottom three, with just a couple games left to play, should results elsewhere go their way. Blackburn, meanwhile, are within touching distance of survival on 38-points and need only one more victory to guarantee their inclusion in next season’s Barclay’s Premier League.

So it’s no understatement to say there’s everything to play for at Upton Park, though there’s no doubting as to which of the two parties are in greater need of the points.

West Ham have spent much of the season in the basement of the Premier League, so I suppose we shouldn’t be at all surprised to see them where they are now. But we are, I certainly am anyway, as it wasn’t so long ago they were stringing a few eye-catching results together and showing the sort of gritty determination in their performances to suggest they had the stomach for this relegation dogfight. Then came a daunting set of fixtures against several of the top-five and the Hammers suddenly capitulated, to such dramatic lengths that they are now aiming to avoid a sixth consecutive defeat this weekend.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are three of the five teams which have turned the screw on West Ham’s bid for survival, though it would be fair to say that few expected them to take much away from those formidable fixtures. But they should of, or at least their performances merited a reward of some kind, and at both Stamford Bridge and Eastlands, against Chelsea and Man City respectively, West Ham shown a tremendous amount of character to hold their own and to create chances, glorious ones at that. I personally thought they were outstanding on both occasions, and a performance of similar ilk would blow Blackburn right out of the water on Saturday.

Twenty-four hours before West Ham gave fourth-placed Man City a run for their money in Manchester, Blackburn were earning themselves a reprieve – a 1-0 win over Bolton at home was Blackburn’s first for ten games and in turn took them three-points closer to safety, where they are now within two-points of that magic 40-points which more times than not ensures survival. So victory in East London this Saturday, as unlikely as that seems on current form, should just about do it.

The reason I say a Blackburn win is unlikely is for the simple fact that their away record in 2011 is appalling.  Since the turn of the year, Steve Kean has taken his side travelling on seven separate occasions in the league, to which his side have responded by rolling over in six. That’s right, Blackburn’s away form reads six defeats in seven, registering a laughable one point from a possible 21 with their last away triumph in the Premier League way back in December.

Furthermore, Blackburn’s record against the Hammers is also pathetically bad, especially in London. The pair have gone head-to-head at Upton Park thirteen times during the Premiership era, with West Ham coming out on top on no less than ten occasions, Blackburn just the once, during the pair’s very first encounter in the Premier League, back in 1994. Bodes well for all you Blackburn fans then, eh?

On the plus side, Blackburn are set to welcome back David Dunn, although even more influential is Scott Parker to West Ham, who is facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s pivotal game.

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Form & Last Result

West Ham – LLLLL (West Ham 2-4 Man Utd, Bolton 3-0 West Ham, West Ham 1-2 Aston Villa, Chelsea 3-0 West Ham, Man City 2-1 West Ham)

Although their spirited performance at Eastlands was worthy of at least a point, yet again West Ham came away from a fixture empty-handed. A 2-1 loss to Man City was their fifth consecutive in the league, having now gone as many away games without winning too. Demba Ba with the only goal for West Ham, though they could and perhaps should have found the net on more than just the one occasion.

Blackburn – DDLLW (Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn, Blackburn 1-1 Birmingham, Everton 2-0 Blackburn, Blackburn 0-1 Man City, Blackburn 1-0 Bolton)

Blackburn took a huge stride towards safety with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bolton seven days ago, Martin Olsson with the all important goal as the Swede shone at Ewood Park with a Man of the Match performance.  Previously, Rovers were without a win in ten – 4 draws and 6 defeats – so the dressing room will feel as though a huge weight has been lifted from their shoulders, though now they must end a seven-match away run without winning;1 draw and 6 defeats.

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Head-to-Head (Premiership)

West Ham wins: 13
Draws: 6
Blackburn wins: 8

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Blackburn 1-1 West Ham
2009/2010: West Ham 0-0 Blackburn
2009/2010: Blackburn 0-0 West Ham
2008/2009: Blackburn 1-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 4-1 Blackburn
2007/2008: West Ham 2-1 Blackburn
2007/2008: Blackburn 0-1 West Ham
2006/2007: Blackburn 1-2 West Ham
2006/2007: West Ham 2-1 Blackburn

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Match Prediction: West Ham United to WIN – 2.00 WilliamHill

Ever since Sam Allardyce was booted out of the managerial hot-seat and replaced by Steve Kean I’ve not been at all interested in backing Blackburn, and I’m not budging on Saturday despite West Ham taking a fifth match losing streak into the game as Rovers look to build on their recent success over Bolton.

Their football has improved slightly, however Blackburn have lost their ability to ground out results under Steve Kean, who has masterminded just four wins from his eighteen Premiership games in charge. Their 1-0 win over Bolton at home Last Saturday was their first for ten games, having previously gone over three months without winning.

The Hammers have lost their last five on the spin but will now nose-dive into considerably easier fixtures, starting with a poor travelling Blackburn side, who have lost six of their last seven away from home, and with those barmy bubble-blowing supporters behind them, West Ham look a good bet to boost their own survival hopes whilst in the process dragging Blackburn right back into this relegation mixer.

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Value Bets

Draw @ 3.60 Bet365

The last four Premiership meetings have ended all-square: 0-0 X2, 1-1 X2.

West Ham to Score First @ 1.75 VictorChandler

In each of their previous four matches at Upton Park, West Ham have opened the scoring. This would have been a winning bet in nine of West Ham’s seventeen home league games this season.

West Ham to Score 2 or More Goals @ 1.80 PaddyPower

No teams in the top-flight has conceded more goal away from home in 2010/2011 than Blackburn (40), who conceded on average 2.35 goals per-away-game. 

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Match Odds

West Ham – 2.00 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.60 Bet365
Blackburn Rovers – 4.00 PaddyPower

Manchester City V West Ham United

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 1 May 2011 – 16:00 (GMT)
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

Manchester City and West Ham clash on Sunday with conflicting interests, as the battle for survival and the race for a top-four finish takes center stage at Eastlands.

In the race for fourth, Man City are currently ahead by several lengths. The Citizens were 1-0 winners away at Blackburn last time out in a result which helped them open up a four-point gap on fifth-placed Spurs, who are still to travel to the City of Manchester Stadium. In the process, City also ended a couple of droughts. The first being their wait for a first away win in 2011, the second was Edin Dzeko scoring his first Premier League goal for the club, after the Bosnian failed to net in his previous nine league appearances. Now they look to quash another disconcerting statistic, the one which reads no back-to-back league wins in 2011.

As for West Ham, relegation beckons for Avram Grant’s men after the Hammers were consigned to their fourth straight defeat last Saturday. A spirited display at Stamford Bridge against the division’s in-form side, Chelsea – in which Grant’s men created several golden opportunities but somehow contrived to miss every single one, wasn’t good enough to avoid another emphatic loss as goals from Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda and even Fernando Torres, who hadn’t scored against any of his previous fourteen opponents, sent West Ham to a 3-0 defeat but also to the basement of the Barclay’s Premier League.

It’s perhaps a little ironic that City, mathematically anyway, could afford to take home a point from this weekend’s fixture but will be livid with themselves should they fail to register all three from what is unquestionably their easiest remaining assignment. West Ham, however, cannot afford to relinquish any points, if truth be told, yet a point from this particular fixture would be an outstanding achievement, mainly because nobody is giving them a chance, not even their own chairman.

David Sullivan, who co-owns West Ham Football Club with David Gold, claimed earlier in the week that the club only had a 25% chance of staying up, and that some of the players he pays handsomely are only interested in making money and don’t have the good of the club at heart. Talk about kicking the troops while they’re down.

The club’s controversial owners have never been too far away from the headlines during their time with the East London outfit, but their latest comments couldn’t have come at a more inconvenient time, with the team demoralised and drained of any confidence or self-belief following a four-match losing sequence which has consigned them to 20th, where they are now two-points shy of safety with four games left to play.

It remains to be seen whether David Sullivan’s comments have a detrimental affect on the team’s chances of staying up or whether it surprisingly galvanises the dressing room and motivates the players to prove the big-time Charlie wrong. Whatever the outcome, their task this weekend doesn’t become any easier, as Manchester City will take all the beating at Eastlands, where they’ve not been beaten in the league since 20 December, winning six of their last seven, and where West Ham have won just once in ten previous Premiership visits, doing so back in 2003.

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Match Pointers

Man City are four-points clear in fourth after winning their first away match of 2011; West Ham are rock-bottom and two-points off safety after a four successive defeat last weekend.

The Citizens haven’t lost a league match at home in 2011, winning five and drawing one.

No team has kept more clean sheets at home this season than Manchester City (10).

West Ham are aiming to avoid a fifth consecutive league defeat on Sunday, shipping twelve goals during their joint-worst run of form this season.

The Hammers have failed to score in each of their previous three away league games.

Head-to-Head

Man City wins: 10
Draws: 4
West Ham wins: 7

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: West Ham 1-3 Man City
2009/2010: West Ham 1-1 Man City
2009/2010: Man City 3-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 1-0 Man City
2008/2009: Man City 3-0 West Ham
2007/2008: Man City 1-1 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 0-2 Man City
2006/2007: West Ham 0-1 Man City
2006/2007: Man City 2-0 West Ham

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Manchester City to WIN – 1.40 PaddyPower

I’ll surprise no-one with my prediction here, however, I genuinely cannot see anything other than a home win for Manchester City, who are unbeaten in seven at home in the league and don’t look in the slightest bit capable of ending that encouraging run on Sunday against rock-bottom West Ham.

After losing their last four games on the spin, it’s clear the Hammers are in urgent need of some inspiration. David Sullivan’s comments certainly wasn’t what the doctor ordered, neither is news that Scott Parker is set to miss out yet again with an achilles problem. Furthermore, Mark Noble will also be missing from the midfield meaning a completely new and unfamiliar midfield set-up will take to the field aiming to nullify what is usually a dominant Man City midfield at home.

Missing their talisman, in dire form and now their pride has been shattered by their own chairman’s comments regarding their commitment to the cause. It will be a miracle if West Ham take anything from this encounter. Then again, this is the Premier League and it has been one of those unpredictable seasons where absolutely anything can and has happened.

Value Bet: Manchester City to WIN to NIL – 2.40 888Sport (Bet 888)

No team has kept more clean sheets at home this season and although West Ham did look very impressive in the final third at Stamford Bridge last weekend, when carving out numerous opportunities against a Chelsea side with the best defence in the league, they are likely to come up against a brick wall at Eastlands.

Match Odds:

Manchester City – 1.40 PaddyPower
Draw – 4.75 VictorChandler
West Ham United – 9.00 WilliamHill

Chelsea V West Ham

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 23 April 2011 – 17:30 (GMT)
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TV Coverage: ESPN

The West and East of London are on a collision course this week, as West Ham prepare to do battle with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a full-blooded affair which, for the victims, could lead to grim consequences.

It’s survival of the fittest down near the foot of the table and West Ham have been giving off all the wrong signals, losing three consecutive games in a run which has us all believing the Hammers no longer have the stomach for it – especially if rumours are to be believed that club captain and star man, Scott Parker, will spend much of the latter stages of the season sidelined through injury.

In stark comparison, and at the opposite end of the table, Chelsea have burst onto the scene, seemingly from out of the oblivion, to emerge as Manchester United’s main rivals for the 2010/2011 Premier League title, after the Blues moved to within six-points of the long-time leaders courtesy of Wednesday’s comfortable 3-1 win over Birmingham City at The Bridge. That was their sixth win in an eight-match unbeaten league run which has helped Carlo Ancelotti’s men to surge past Arsenal into second on goal difference.

However, it is Chelsea who are in the more precarious situation. Defeat for the West Londoners, or even a draw for that matter, would all but end their quest for the title. Carlo Ancelotti has informed his players that they must go on to win their remaining five games of the season if they’re to successfully defend their crown. Were it not for the fact that Chelsea are still to tackle United at Old Trafford before the end of the season, on 8 May, as well as Sir Alex having to take his side to Arsenal the preceding weekend, then Chelsea’s cause would be a hopeless one. As it is, United face enough tricky assignments to keep a strong finishing Chelsea interested.

A defeat for West Ham, however, wouldn’t be as destructive, though it would have a detrimental affect to their chances of staying up for a sixth successive season. The Hammers go into the game second from bottom, level on points but boasting a slightly superior goal difference to rock-bottom Wolves, who interestingly have a game in hand. Their carrot, however, is that victory would be enough to see them move back onto dry-land with just four games left to play, as unlikely a scenario as that may seem.

Quite frankly, if Chelsea don’t win this fixture then it will rightly go down as one of this season’s biggest turn-up for the books. Not only are Carlo Ancelotti’s men bang-in-form but their record against those hapless Hammers is second to none, having won nine of the last eleven league encounters scoring 27 goals in the process.

To compound matters for West Ham, Avram Grant is shorn of several influential figures, including the most influential of them all in talisman Scott Parker. The former Chelsea midfielder is currently suffering with an Achilles problem and could be joined by Manuel Da Costa and James Tomkins on the sidelines.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are set to be without Brazilian centre-back Alex, however David Luiz is an able replacement despite being at fault for the penalty awarded to Birmingham in midweek. Compatriot Ramires is also out with a hamstring problem although we await news of the extent of Ashley Cole’s injury, with the England international replaced after 55 minutes during his side’s 3-1 win over Birmingham on Wednesday.

All in all it should be routine for Chelsea, who are coming good at just the right time. 

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Head-to-Head (Premier League)

Chelsea wins: 16
Draws: 5
West Ham wins: 8

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: West Ham 1-3 Chelsea
2009/2010: Chelsea 4-1 West Ham
2009/2010: West Ham 1-1 Chelsea
2008/2009: West Ham 0-1 Chelsea
2008/2009: Chelsea 1-1 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 0-4 Chelsea
2007/2008: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham
2006/2007: West Ham 1-4 Chelsea
2006/2007: Chelsea 1-0 West Ham

Streaks & Trends

West Ham haven’t beaten Chelsea in the Premiership since 2003, when Paolo Di Canio scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 triumph, failing to do so in their previous eleven attempts.

Chelsea now lead the way in the recent form chart having won six and lost none of their last eight league games, but have only kept three clean sheets in the same period.

The Hammers are aiming to avoid a fourth straight defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, what would be their worst run of form since the beginning of the term.

West Ham have won only two of their sixteen away matches this season: W2 D7 L7.

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Chelsea to WIN – 1.25 WilliamHill

As urgent as West Ham need points, I just cannot see them taking anything from their visit to Stamford Bridge. If anything, I envisage a Chelsea romp, especially if Ancelotti sticks with the same eleven which cruised past West Brom and Birmingham within the space of four-days. So basically, no Fernando Torres, Carlo, if you wouldn’t mind.

Even with Scott Parker in hand, West Ham would have struggled. Without him they’re defenceless to a Chelsea beating, in my honest yet brutal opinion. Florent Malouda scored twice during the week so he’ll be on a high, as will the entire Chelsea team after stretching their winning streak to three games. We’ve seen glimpses of the old Chelsea in recent weeks, the team which was blowing everyone and anyone out of the water in the first few weeks of the season, and I suspect they’ll be far too strong for a West Ham side who appear to be on the verge of throwing in the towel.

Value Bet: Chelsea to Score 4 or More Goals – 3.25 PaddyPower

In their last two games, Chelsea have comfortably saw to the challenge from both West Brom and Birmingham, winning both fixtures 3-1. Now those are two sides who actually have some organisation and discipline about them, whereas Saturday’s opponents, West Ham, quite frankly don’t. I’m confident Chelsea will smash Avram Grant’s men for four at the very minimum.

 
Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.25 WilliamHill
Draw – 7.00 VictorChandler
West Ham – 15.00 Bet365

West Ham V Aston Villa

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 16 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Upton Park

The most unconvincing of 1-0 wins over Newcastle last weekend may have handed Villa’s survival hopes a timely boost but it hasn’t stopped every journalist in the land from claiming that Saturday’s clash between themselves and West Ham at Upton Park is indeed a relegation six-pointer. Just five-points separate the two in the table, and the fact they are kept apart by just three slots in the table says all you need to know about each side’s predicament.

So then, only a win will suffice for both sides, although, there is no arguing that West Ham’s need for points is of a far more urgent nature. The Hammers find themselves back in the relegation zone, where they have spent large parts of the season, courtesy of back-to-back defeats. A third on the spin this weekend would be their worst run of form since the very beginning of the campaign, when opening the term with four straight reverses.

Nevertheless, Avram Grant’s men are all too well aware that it only takes one win to give their currently dull complexion a more vibrant look, and maximum points from this weekend’s encounter would, in all probability, see them leap out of the bottom-three. Villa, meanwhile, are just three-points away from that magic 40-point marker which, more times than not, guarantees survival so there shouldn’t be any let-up from the visitors despite creeping that bit closer to the finish line with their first win for four games a week previous.

‘Massive’ really doesn’t do this fixture justice as far as West Ham are concerned, as it’s one they will have marked down as ‘winnable’ when eyeing up the run-in, especially as their record at home to the Villains is half-decent: Villa have only won once at Upton Park in the last fourteen years (Premier League), with a record of W3 D8 L4 overall during the Premier League era in the East of London.

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West Ham

League Position: 18th
League Form: WWDLL

Third from bottom in the table – a point off both safety and the foot of the table, West Ham run the risk of becoming marooned in the relegation zone should they fail to take maximum points from Saturday’s home clash with survival rivals Aston Villa at Upton Park.

Following this weekend’s winnable match with Gerard Houllier’s indifferent Villains, West Ham face formidable trips to Stamford Bridge and Eastlands to face two of the league’s top-four in Chelsea and Man City respectively. Although it is no formality, the Hammers are unlikely to register anything from those two road assignments so the importance of registering a handsome sum from Saturday’s game couldn’t be of greater importance to their relegation cause.

The omens aren’t good however, as Avram Grant’s men, who had impressed during February and March when going four-games unbeaten in the league, have now suffered back-to-back defeats in the league. Of a more pressing concern is the fact West Ham’s defence is once again leaking goals. It’s now seven concessions in two games for goalkeeper Robert Green, after heavy defeats at home to Man Utd (2-4) and away to Bolton (3-0), the latter more emphatic but also their most recent, and that could have a seriously adverse impact on the mood of the West Ham dressing room ahead of this mammoth clash.

On the plus side, West Ham have only lost four of their previous eleven league games on home soil, in which three of those were against sides currently situated in the top-four of the table. They have also lost just once in fourteen-years at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League, but with the vast amounts of creativity Villa bring with them to East London, how on earth does a West Ham defence which continues to leak goals left, right and centre contain the likes of Ashley Young, Stewart Downing and Darren Bent?

Aston Villa

League Position: 14th
League Form: WLLDW

As unconvincing as their 1-0 win at home to Newcastle was a week previous, Villa have at least eased the immediate threat of relegation and handed their survival hopes a timely boost ahead of this weekend’s significant fixture with third from bottom West Ham at Upton Park. That said, the Villains are still positioned precariously close to the relegation zone – five-points off the drop-zone in 14th – and are by no means out of the woods just yet.

Like all sides battling to stay alive at the foot of the table, 40-points is the target for Gerard Houllier and Aston Villa. A second quick-fire win would take them to 40-points with five games remaining, and that would go some way to easing some of the apprehension and disgruntlement around Villa Park. Quite how they’ll manage that feat is anyone’s guess, as while they may boast a stronger squad of players, certainly in terms of creativity and goal-potential, their away form this season has been atrocious.

Not since 25 January have Aston Villa secured maximum points away from home in the Premier League, when beating a now rock-bottom Wigan Athletic 2-1 at the DW Stadium. That was a rare away triumph for Gerard Houllier’s side, whose only previous away win this season also came at a venue where its host are struggling to stay afloat near the foot of the table in Mick McCarthy’s Wolves. Overall, Villa’s record on their travels this season makes for pretty horrific reading: W2 D5 L9 – shipping a somewhat staggering 36 goals.

Villa, though, boast an embarrassment of attacking riches however, and against a West Ham defence which has leaked seven goals in its last two league fixtures, Gerard Houllier’s men should be licking their lips ahead of Saturday’s visits to the east of London. Ashley Young and Stewart Downing, Villa’s joint-leading scorers in the league this season with six goals, will be a constant threat out side while keeping Darren Bent quiet in front of goal is never easy, with the striker aiming to score in his third successive away match for Villa, after bagging a brace away at Everton in a 2-2 draw at the beginning of the month.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

West Ham wins: 6
Draws: 15
Aston Villa wins: 9

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Aston Villa 3-0 West Ham
2009/2010: Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham
2009/2010: West Ham 2-1 Aston Villa
2008/2009: Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 0-1 Aston Villa
2007/2008: West Ham 2-2 Aston Villa
2007/2008: Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham
2006/2007: Aston Villa 1-0 West Ham
2006/2007: West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa

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Betting Odds & Tips

Match Prediction: Aston Villa to WIN – 3.30 VictorChandler

Turn back time a fortnight and I would have strongly fancied a home win, as West Ham were enjoying a rich vein of form at the same time as Villa were enduring another miserable slump. That isn’t the case any more, and it is Villa who are the rejuvenated party at Upton Park.

West Ham were a little unfortunate to go down 4-2 in their most recent home encounter to leaders Manchester United, however they were abysmal away to Bolton last time out, when losing by a resounding 3-0 scoreline, and on that performance alone I’m struggling to find a case for Grant’s men.

Of course, it almost goes without saying that the Upton Park faithful has to come into the equation, but West Ham looked a dejected outfit away at Bolton. Villa, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their narrow win over Newcastle last time out and should ask all sorts of questions of a shaky Hammers defence – and I don’t see them not scoring at least one, possibly even a couple, several even.

Value Bet: Darren Bent First Goalscorer – 7.00 Unibet

Match Odds:

West Ham – 2.30 Boylesports
Draw – 3.40 BetFred
Aston Villa – 3.30 VictorChandler

More information:
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Bolton V West Ham

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 9 April 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Reebok Stadium

West Ham have endured a miserable time of things during recent encounters with Bolton in the Premier League, however the Hammers will look to capitalise on the Trotters’ recent slump in form after Owen Coyle’s men suffered their second successive defeat last weekend.

The previous seven contests in all competitions have all been won by Bolton, who haven’t lost a Premiership fixture at home to West Ham since 1995. So the omens are good for a Trotters revival, not that the club find themselves in a sticky situation – Bolton are 8th in the table, eight-points clear of the relegation zone but now seemingly out of the race for a Europa League finish, with Spurs now ten-points further up the league in 5th.

Speaking of revivals, West Ham will need to get back to collecting points as soon as possible. Avram Grant’s side were savaged by Manchester United last weekend, the Hammers relinquishing a 2-0 lead courtesy of two successful Mark Noble spot-kicks to lose 4-2 at Upton Park, shipping all four goals in the second half, as their previously encouraging four-match unbeaten streak in the league came crashing to an end.

For Bolton, it’s all about securing another three-point haul which would almost definitely put to bed any apprehension of relegation. West Ham, however, will look over at their opponents with a touch of envy, as the Hammers yet again dropped back down into the bottom-three with that defeat to United seven days previous and are now in desperate need of a result in order to make an immediate return to dry land.

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Bolton

League Position: 8th
League Form: WDWLL

Consecutive defeats has scuppered any chance Bolton had of sneaking into Europe via the Europa League, although Europe was always going to be a stiff ask for Owen Coyle and his players and the focus now, until the end of the season, will be to accumulate enough points to not only mathematically guarantee survival, which should only be another win, but also a top-ten finish.

Bolton were beaten for the second match running when going down 2-1 at Birmingham last weekend, but we should point out that both reverses came away from The Reebok, and the other was an unfortunate 1-0 loss at league leaders Man Utd. At home, however, Bolton have only lost two matches all season in the league, plus, Coyle & Co will be eyeing up their fourth successive league victory on their own patch when they entertain West Ham on Saturday, following wins over Wolves (1-0), Everton (2-0) and Aston Villa (3-2).

Speaking of the Hammers, Bolton have dominated recent clashes with the East Londoners. The Trotters have won all seven previous encounters at The Reebok, not to mention the fact an eight straight home win on Saturday would also be their eight in a row in all competitions over that bubble-mad club, home and away.

Kevin Davies has also enjoyed scraping with those Hammers, the Bolton forward having scored eight times during his career against West Ham and will be hoping his rich vein of form against them will aid him in his bid bolster a miserable return of only one league goal since the turn of the year. His strike partner, Johan Elmander, has been similarly unproductive in 2011 – perhaps why Bolton have dramatically gone from European hopefuls to mid-table settlers since Christmas.

Nevertheless, all the arrows are pointing in Bolton’s direction, although their cause isn’t helped by the fact Stuart Holden has been ruled out for anywhere up to six months with a knee injury. Owen Coyle has yet to mastermind a league win whenever Holden hasn’t featured, emphasising the importance of having the American’s combative-nature in the middle of the park.

West Ham

League Position: 18th
League Form: DWWDL

A week on from their demoralising defeat at home to league leaders Manchester United, West Ham go in search of redemption in the form of their first league win at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium for 16-years. But their opponents have only lost twice at home all season, which is the same miserly sum that West Ham have won away from home, so I’m sure I won’t be the only pundit who fears the worst for Avram Grant’s men in a fixture which has brought the club and it’s loyal supporters nothing but misery over the years.

Every club, even the very best, has an adversary. A team who invariably get the better of them, or causes them countless problems whenever they clash. In West Ham’s case it’s Bolton, although, in fairness, we could have mentioned several clubs who generally have a whale of a time against the Hammers.

Since 1995, the year in which they secured their one and only Premiership victory over Bolton Wanderers on the road in nine attempts, West Ham have recorded zero wins, one draw and a bewildering eight defeats. Furthermore, a seemingly routine defeat on Saturday would be their eighth on the spin against Bolton, whom have won the previous seven encounters, home and away, in all competitions.

Instead of spending this entire preview focusing on history, and how West Ham have plenty of the stuff with the Trotters, we thought better to highlight West Ham’s positives.

For starters, their football has come on leaps and bounds in 2011, which in turn has led to a markedly improved return of points. Before their 4-2 reverse at home to United, a match in which the Hammers led 2-0 at half-time only to capitulate in the second-half and concede four within the space of 30 minutes, they hadn’t tasted defeat for four games in the league. Goals haven’t been as hard to come by as they were in the opening half of the season either, while defensively, that despite conceding four last time out, they are a great deal more resolute and marshalled by a keeper in Robert Green who has been in fine form and back to something like his best.

The history book certainly doesn’t do them any favours, but West Ham have shown enough improvement in their overall game to convince us, and hopefully their passionate contingent of travelling supporters, that they can squeeze a positive result – so a win or a draw – out of an exceedingly difficult fixture, for them anyway.

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY)

Bolton wins: 11
Draws: 3
West Ham wins: 5

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: West Ham 1-3 Bolton
2009/2010: West Ham 1-2 Bolton
2009/2010: Bolton 3-1 West Ham
2008/2009: Bolton 2-1 West Ham
2008/2009: West Ham 1-3 Bolton
2007/2008: Bolton 1-0 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 1-1 Bolton
2006/2007: West Ham 3-1 Bolton
2006/2007: Bolton 4-0 West Ham

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Betting

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.40 WilliamHill

Football isn’t played on paper, and it’s a good job it isn’t as if it was, West Ham wouldn’t have a hope in hell on Saturday. Bolton’s record at home, on the whole in fact, is imperious against the Hammers and they are bound to be a popular selection with punters. However, I have personally seen enough from Avran Grant’s side in recent weeks that would suggest they’re good enough for a point, though they will need to halt Bolton’s winning three-match streak at home.

Bolton have been the dominant force in corresponding fixtures, while they’ve been just as formidable at home all season (W8 D5 L2). However, the loss of Stuart Holden for the remainder of the season is huge, compounded by the fact the strikers have suddenly lost their way in front of goal. In stark contrast, West Ham’s attackers haven’t – scoring 11 in their last 5 league games – and if the same West Ham defence that conceded just one goal in three games before shipping four in 30 minutes at home to United last weekend turns up at The Reebok, Bolton’s seven-match winning run over the Hammers could be about to come to an end.

Value Bet: Kevin Davies First Goalscorer – 7.50 SkyBet

The Bolton forward has scored more goals against West Ham than any other opponent, so it would almost bee inevitable should he add to the eight he already has to his name against the Hammers.

Match Odds:

Bolton – 2.25 Coral
Draw – 3.40 WilliamHill
West Ham – 3.60 PaddyPower

West Ham V Manchester United

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 2 April – 12:45 (GMT)
Venue: Upton Park
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

West Ham

League Position: 17th
League Form: LDWWD

A resurgent Hammers will be hoping it’s eighth-time lucky when they entertain league leaders Manchester United at Upton Park this Saturday. West Ham were resounding 4-0 winners when the two clashed in East London during a Carling Cup affair back in November, but United have won the last seven league meetings – the previous five without even conceding – so you could say a Hammers triumph is well overdue.

West Ham are a club right at the heart of this enthralling fight for survival and are refusing to call time on their Premier League reign. The Hammers have spent the last five terms in the top-flight of English football but have spent much of this season with their backs firmly against the wall, at times seemingly dead and buried as far as avoiding the drop. But ever since Christmas they’ve come out fighting under Avram Grant, a manager who is rarely too far away from the guillotine, and those green shoots of recovery have been evident for all to see for some time now.

A four-match unbeaten run in the league has enabled Grant’s men to leap out of the bottom-three, although their situation is still precarious. Just one point is currently separating them from Wolves in 18th, and from spending another unsavoury spell in the drop zone. So defeat on Saturday, in a fixture they have fared miserably in during recent times, is unthinkable especially as it would stop all their positive momentum firmly in its tracks.

Their form in front of goal has been just as impressive as their form on the whole, having netted on no less than sixteen occasions during their last six league and cup games. Furthermore, key players were also on form for their countries during the international break, with Scott Parker and Robbie Keane both starring for England and Ireland respectively. The former, who did pick up a couple of knocks during England’s EURO 2012 qualifier with Wales in Cardiff, should recover in time to face United.

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
League Form: WWLLW

A United team still shorn of their manager will at least welcome back a couple of influential figures for this weekend’s trip to the East of London. The United manager is serving a five-match touchline ban and will be confined to the stands for Saturday’s big game, but the temperamental 69-year-old can at least call on the services of midfielder Darren Fletcher, as well as his captain, with Nemanja Vidic having successfully recovered from the calf problem which kept him out of the side’s 1-0 victory over Bolton just before the international break a fortnight previous.

Even though Vidic’s return to the fray is a massive boost for Sir Alex, the manager is still without a whole host of key players and will once again need to select a starting XI from scraps. And to complicate matters further, he may also have one eye on the midweek Champions League encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so those who are nearing a return to first-team action may not necessarily be risked at Upton Park.

Among those ruled out are suspended duo Jonny Evans and Paul Scholes, while Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Rafael, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves are all out injured. The only positive to be had from a pretty dire situation for Sir Alex is that he’s without a number of high-profile names in a fixture he has reigned supreme in – winning his last seven duels with West Ham, and 20 of 31 overall in the Premier League. You could say he has the beating of those Hammers.

As imperious as they’ve been against West Ham in the league of late; winning the previous five contests without shipping a single goal, nobody in the United dressing room will need reminding of what happened the last time they paid a visit to Upton Park. A seemingly straightforward Carling Cup affair soon turned into a horror show for Sir Alex, who could only watch on with grimace as his side recorded their heaviest defeat of the season back in November, when going down 4-0.

Surely lightening cannot strike twice, although, a depleted United who have only won four of their fifteen away matches in the league all season are definitely exposed heading down to the English capital to tackle a rejuvenated West Ham.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Seasons

2010/2011: Manchester United 3-0 West Ham
2009/2010: Manchester United 3-0 West Ham
2009/2010: West Ham 0-4 Manchester United
2008/2009: West Ham 0-1 Manchester United
2008/2009: Manchester United 2-0 West Ham
2007/2008: Manchester United 4-1 West Ham
2007/2008: West Ham 2-1 Manchester United
2006/2007: Manchester United 0-1 West Ham
2006/2007: West Ham 1-0 Manchester United

Premier League

West Ham wins: 4
Manchester United wins: 20
Draws: 7

Betting

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.75 BetFred

You won’t see United at such alluring odds for quite some time, but there is a dark reason behind their attractive exterior. Not only are they depleted in size but they’ve been dismal on their travels this season. On their most recent venture away from Manchester, the Reds were hammered 3-1 by Liverpool in what was their third away reverse in four. And speaking of four, that is the exact amount of matches Fergie’s men have won in the league all season away from home.

West Ham will arguably never have a more golden opportunity to do the deed over United, and they are the ones who boast all the form to boot. Avram Grant’s side have lost only one of their last seven in the Premier League and haven’t been shy in front of goal either. They have also tightened their belts at the back, with Robert Green and his defence having recently returned to form, and if Upson and Co can produce the type of resilient displays which has seen them concede just one goal in their last three league games, they are definitely worth a few bob.

Instead, however, I’m playing a little safe. United haven’t been crowned Premier League champions eleven times for nothing. Their experience and know-how, as well as the bits of flair which Rooney and Berbatov bring to the table, should ensure Sir Alex does at least take some form of a result to Stamford Bridge.

Value Bet: Dimitar Berbatov First Goalscorer – 6.50 VictorChandler

The Bulgarian had fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks, but his last-gasp winner at home to Bolton last time out should have earned him a few brownie points, enough to see him leapfrog Hernandez into the starting XI. There’s also the small matter of finishing top of the scoring charts, with the 20-goal striker only two ahead of City’s Carlos Tevez.

Match Odds:

West Ham – 4.75 VictorChandler
Draw – 3.75 BetFred
Man Utd – 1.83 WilliamHill

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Tottenham Hotspur V West Ham United

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 19th March
Venue: White Hart Lane
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

The North of London clashes with the East this weekend in the first of ten Barclay’s Premier League fixtures, although this very encounter is one of four which will be shown live in front of your very eyes. You can catch this game from 12:45 (GMT) on Sky Sports 2 and HD2 this Saturday.

It is of no great surprise to hear that Spurs are favourites, and we would probably make them overwhelming ones at that. So many factors combine to make Harry Redknapp’s side appear an outstanding punt on paper. They are still chasing a top-four finish – currently three points adrift of Chelsea in fourth, so there should be no let-up there. Plus, they have suffered only one defeat in seven; just two in their last 17 in the Premier League, while they should be sharper and reinvigorated courtesy of their ten-day break from competitive football – their last piece of action was to eliminate the second most successful club in European history, AC Milan, from the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, West Ham will take to the White Hart Lane pitch barely six days after their demoralising defeat in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Hammers were beaten in an exhausting but thoroughly entertaining contest at the Brittania and will have been devastated to have succumbed to defeat just one round before a date with Wembley, as they also did in the Carling Cup.

Furthermore, Tottenham are seeking their fifth straight Premiership victory over West Ham at White Hart Lane and haven’t lost in the league, or any competitive fixture for that matter, at home to the Hammers for 13-years.

Tottenham Hotspur

It seems an age since Tottenham dumped AC Milan out of Europe, a piece of history which the players nor the fans will forget in a hurry. So it’s just as well that Harry Redknapp has enjoyed the company of his team for ten whole days without any competitive action, as all that excitement and euphoria may have boiled over had they of been in action shortly after. Harry has had some valuable time to calm everyone down and to focus on the next mammoth task at hand, which is to upset the apple cart by snatching a top-four berth at the expense of either Chelsea or Man City.

Revenge will also be on the agenda for Spurs who were beaten 1-0 in their most recent visit of Upton Park back in September. Since then, though, they have picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and lost only four of their following 22 in the league and are still very much in the hunt for those elusive Champions League spots. Chelsea are the team they currently have to catch and with the Blues not involved until the following day, Spurs have an ample opportunity right here, with this very fixture, to apply some pressure as victory over third-from-bottom West Ham would send them level on points with their London rivals.

Another positive spin on their recent time-out from first-team action is that they’ve had plenty of time to digest their disappointing draw with Wolves last time out in the league. Despite three stunning efforts from Jermaine Defoe (2) and Roman Pavlyuchenko, Spurs were held to a frustrating 3-3 draw at Molineux by a spirited Wolves side in a match where Wolves scored a last-gasp equaliser to really knock the stuffing out of the Spurs dressing room.

Further good news for Redknapp arrives in the form or returning stars. Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart featured against AC Milan nearly two weeks ago and will both be in contention for Saturday. Even Ledley King has available for selection. Just as well the big names are beginning to regain their peak fitness as the team are currently on a run of three games without winning, two in the league. Although it’s hardly crisis material, it’s damaging nonetheless for their top-four bid.

West Ham United

The comeback is on following impressive back-to-back wins either side of March over Liverpool (3-1) and Stoke City (3-0), while the goals have been arriving thick and fast as well. However, the Hammers still find themselves languishing in the bottom three while there is still the small matter of overcoming the disappointment of last week’s FA Cup Sixth Round defeat to Stoke City. This match will be their first since their Brittania demise, so it remains to be seen whether West Ham jump straight back on the horse or displays signs of an FA Cup hangover.

When you are down at the bottom fighting for your lives, it’s always a test of character. In recent weeks, West Ham have passed that examination with flying colours. Avram Grant’s side have lost only one of their last six in the league and, while they are still in the relegation zone, only their terrible goal difference is holding them back from a return to safe ground. A 3-0 whitewash of Stoke at Upton Park was their second on the spin following another hugely impressive and emphatic win over Liverpool (3-1) the previous week.

Apart from how comprehensive their recent triumphs in the league were, a lot of pundits have been just as impressed with the sheer amount of goals a previously stale and blunt Hammers team are now scoring. A disappointing one away to Stoke in the cup last weekend took their tally of goals for the last five games to a quite sublime 15, with striking duo Demba Ba and Carlton Cole enjoying a rich vein of form at the minute.

Nearly thirteen-years have passed since West Ham’s last league win at White Hart Lane, but that may not be one more important should they end their drought on Saturday. Every point counts when you’re down near the foot of the table and three from a trip to Tottenham really would be coveted, as Spurs haven’t made a habit of relinquishing points at home to the so called lesser sides of the division this season.

Match Prediction: Draw – 4.20 StanJames

Their resurgence in form is mighty impressive; just one loss in their last six league games but unbeaten in their previous three away contests as well, scoring 8 goals in the process. The forwards are playing with a new leash of life by the looks of things, although the real ring leader is captain Scott Parker. The talismanic Hammer has led by example with his exemplary work ethic, composure and vision on the ball but also his desire to bomb forward and take the game to opponents. Parker will be key at White Hart Lane in a match where Spurs are by no means formalities, especially not with West Ham in such prolific goalscoring form as they are right now.

West Ham’s semi-final loss in the FA Cup will have been a bitter blow however, so there are obvious question marks over their mental toughness. The latter factor is something Avram Grant needs to resolve, and quickly.

Tottenham have had a welcomed two-week break from first-team affairs and will undoubtedly be the fresher of the two sets of players, however their form of late is far from ideal – currently without a win in three and no longer bossing games like they used to – and so I believe they are vulnerable at the odds. Of course, it almost goes without saying that their extensive recuperation period as well as their wealth of attacking talent makes them a very attractive proposition on paper, but I’m someone who does generally look for weaknesses, chinks in someone’s armoury, when it comes to short-priced favourites and Tottenham’s chink could well be their recent Champions League draw with Real Madrid.

Some players, Rafael Van Der Vaart in particular, may have one eye now on that European date with Jose Mourinho’s charges and they may well pay the price for any mental complacency on Saturday in a contest where I do genuinely believe West Ham will cause them problems.

Value Bet: Over 3.5 Goals – 3.00 WilliamHill

Match Odds:

Tottenham Hotspur – 1.62 WilliamHill
Draw – 4.20 StanJames
West Ham United – 6.50 SkyBet

We are down to the final eight and although there have been some big name casualties along the way, we’re not on course to see a shock winner. However, there is the genuine possibility of seeing another surprise finalist, with several who are still standing unlikely to have been a popular betting selection in the early stages of the tournament. A lot does depend on the draw, which, to be fair, has been kind to the dark horses so far, as in the Quarter-Finals Arsenal and Manchester United were drawn together in a cracker of a contest which will whet the appetite of every neutral.

In fairness, whenever Arsenal and United come to loggerheads, there is a media frenzy. It’s an opportunity for Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson to renew their long-standing rivalry, but it could also prove a telling encounter between two of the more likelier teams for the league title – and the victor could land a decisive mental blow.

One man who will definitely cast an eye over Saturday’s tea-time fixture is City chief Roberto Mancini. The Italian will lead his team into battle against Championship side Reading the following day, The Royals having stunned Everton in the previous round when beating the Toffees 1-0 at Goodison Park. This, of course, being the same Reading side which dumped Liverpool out of last season’s competition in the Third Round with a 2-1 victory at Anfield. Will Brian McDermott’s men add Man City and Eastlands to their growing lists of scalps?

Then we have two all-Premiership ties, with Birmingham, the recently crowned Carling Cup champions after beating Arsenal 2-1 at Wembley, entertaining high-flying Bolton Wanderers at fortress St Andrews in the very first clash of the weekend. The Blues have never lifted the FA Cup in their history despite making two finals, whereas Bolton have won the competition no less than four times, their most recent back in 1958.

Stoke City have never even made an FA Cup final before, let alone lift the coveted trophy aloft, so Tony Pulis & Co have their sights set on making history and have been given the ample opportunity to do just that in the form of a quarter-final showdown with fellow top-flighters West Ham. However, the Hammers do have recent experience of an FA Cup final, not that they will want to reminisce  or anything, as they were agonisingly beaten by Liverpool on penalties back in 2006.

So there we have it, the line-up for the Quarter-Finals. The one thing we will say is that no tie is cut-and-dry, Manchester City included. The Citizens were only in action three days previous, making the arduous trip to Eastern Europe to tackle Dynamo Kiev of the Ukraine. Picking a few winners may prove a task-and-a-half,  though the lure of a Semi-Final appearance at Wembley may prove strong enough to ensure replays are kept to a minimum.

FA Cup; Quarter-Finals

Saturday, 12th March

12:45 (GMT) – Birmingham City V Bolton Wanderers
17:15 (GMT) – Manchester United V Arsenal

Sunday, 13th March

14:00 (GMT) – Stoke City V West Ham United
16:00 (GMT) – Manchester City V Reading

2010/2011 FA Cup betting:

Manchester United – 3.25 (9/4) PaddyPower
Manchester City – 3.50 (5/2) Boylesports
Arsenal – 4.50 (7/2) Bet365
Stoke City – 13.00 (12/1) SkyBet
Bolton Wanderers – 17.00 (16/1) Coral
Birmingham City – 17.00 (16/1) StanJames
West Ham United – 23.00 (22/1) StanJames
Reading – 67.00 (66/1) WilliamHill

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Stoke City V West Ham United

Date & kick-off: Sunday, 13th March – 14:00 (GMT)
Venue: Brittania Stadium
TV Coverage: ITV1

Stoke City

- The Potters have never made it all the way to an FA Cup final, while their last appearance in the semi-finals was back in 1972.

- Tony Pulis doesn’t have any fresh concerns with regards to injured personnel, with Matthew Etherington back in the side after recovering from a persistent back problem.

- Stoke are currently unbeaten in their last six matches at the Brittania Stadium, winning four and drawing two.

- Over five years have passed since Stoke last tasted defeat at home in the FA Cup, the Potters unbeaten in their previous seven home ties, five of which were victories.

After being dumped out at this very stage in proceedings last season, Stoke are determined to go one better second time around as they bid to make their first ever appearance in an FA Cup final. Their passage then was far more difficult than their current one, which is perhaps a small omen for the Potters, that the tide may well be turning in their favour, as on Sunday, Stoke will tackle relegation-threatened West Ham at the Brittania in a tie they are seen as firm favourites to progress in despite losing 3-0 to the same outfit a week ago.

En route to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Chelsea in the 2009/2010 FA Cup, Stoke recorded some stunning wins, which included handsome victories over both Arsenal and Manchester City. It has been a little more straightforward this time around, with the Potters having to overcome Cardiff City in the Third Round, with the help of a replay, as well as hard-fought wins away at Wolves (0-1) and at home to Brighton (3-0). Favourable would be one way of describing their draw so far, and that’s exactly how we view their Sixth Round assignment against the Hammers, albeit against an improving East London outfit.

February 2006 was the last time Stoke were defeated in a home FA Cup encounter, winning five of their previous seven ties at the Brittania. Their record on their own turf in the league isn’t half-bad either, winning seven and losing just four of fourteen this season. So it’s hardly surprising that myself and so many others rate their chances of going one better than last season.

However, the Potters have lacked a bit of consistency in recent weeks, with their 3-0 reverse at Upton Park against West Ham – a match the Potters were completely out-played in – stretching their winless to three games, although, once again we’re straight back to their imperious record at home, having gone their last six matches unbeaten inside what has become fortress Brittania, recording five wins and two draws. Tony Pulis will also be boosted by the return to fitness of impressive winger Matthew Etherington.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 13.00 (12/1) SkyBet

West Ham United

- The Hammers have made five FA Cup final appearances during their time, the most recent in 2006 when losing to Liverpool on penalties, winning the competition three times.

- A 3-0 defeat of Stoke last Saturday was West Ham’s third consecutive win in all competitions, their longest winning sequence for over three years.

- Avram Grant is still without the services of Junior Stanislas, Jack Collison, Kieron Dyer and Robbie Keane although midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has returned with a bang, scoring in two of his last three starts.

- Prolific isn’t normally a word you associate with one of Avram Grant’s teams, however the Hammers have now racked up an impressive tally of goals in a short space of time, 14 from their last 4.

I know I’ve said this on virtually every occasion the Hammers have been involved in cup competition this season, but they really have come on leaps and bounds outside of the Premier League under Avram Grant, the Israeli who is bidding for a second successive FA Cup final after guiding cash-strapped Portsmouth to last season’s show-piece.

But it isn’t as though this particular club doesn’t have previous with the competition, having lifted the FA Cup on three occasions, as well as coming within a penalty shoot-out defeat of winning the 2005/2006 edition only to lose out to Liverpool, so it would be fair to say that West Ham’s FA Cup credentials dwarf that of their Sixth Round rivals, who have never made a final, let alone lift the most prestigious domestic cup in club football.

West Ham manager Avram Grant couldn’t of wished for a richer vein of form to carry into Sunday’s daunting clash at the Brittania, where his men battled gamely earlier in the season to earn a hard-fought yet thoroughly deserved point during a league encounter. The Hammers are currently enjoying their best run of form in over three years, a run which fittingly climaxed last weekend with an emphatic 3-0 defeat of Stoke at Upton Park. That was their third win on the spin, following up impressive victories over Burnley in the Fifth Round but also Liverpool, beating a then in-form Reds side impressively, as well as comprehensively, 3-1.

As impressive as Grant’s men have been of late, it’s important we don’t get too ahead of ourselves, as that their sparkling form has centred around Upton Park, where they have scored 11 of their 14 goals in four games. It’s a different story on the road however, with a 3-1 victory away at Blackpool their only away win in five. But the simple fact they’ve relocated the goal trail, and emphatically so, is a massive plus, and with centre-back duo Matthew Upson and James Tomkins back from injury to hopefully counter Stoke’s aerial prowess, the Hammers are by no means a forlorn hope, despite how formidable the Potters are in general at home.

To win the 2010/2011 FA Cup – 23.00 (22/1) StanJames

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.50 (12/5) BetFred

So what does happen when fire meets fire, as Stoke are generally red-hot at the Brittania while West Ham are quite simply on fire at the minute?

Rarely do the Potters fail to stamp their mark on a home fixture, with their robust, physical nature making them one of the toughest nuts to crack. They are a nuisance from set-plays, but Pulis also has width in the form of Matty Etherington and Jermaine Pennant that ensures the aerial threat through John Carew, Kenwyn Jones and Jonathan Walters stretches far further than the odd set-piece.

West Ham, though, well there’s an aurora about them right now, with the team in fine form. Suddenly, it’s all beginning to fall into lace for Avram Grant, who now has the reigns of a team which have not only won its previous three fixtures, albeit back in East London, but have also been slamming home the goals. The two entwined instils so much confidence and belief into a dressing room.

This is definitely the most intriguing match-up of the four FA Cup encounters this weekend, even if it doesn’t look all that glamorous on paper. Had this been at Upton Park, where West Ham spanked Stoke 3-0 barely a week ago, then we would have slapped our money on another Hammers victory, but the Brittania factor does level the playing field. So another hard-fought draw for West Ham it is, with the pair playing out a 1-1 stalemate back in September when the two sides clashed in the Premier League.

Value Bet: Thomas Hitzlsperger to Score – 6.75 (23/4) Unibet

The German has spent much of the season on the sidelines but has announced his return to first-team football with aplomb, scoring on his début in the Fifth Round against Burnley, a stunning effort that was as well, and also again just last weekend in the 3-0 rout of Stoke at Upton Park. He has a hammer of a let-foot on him and with the Stoke defence usually so well organised, it may take a moment of brilliance to break open the deadlock. Step up ‘Der Hammer’!

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 2.20 (6/5) Bet365
Draw – 3.50 (5/2) BetFred
West Ham United – 3.60 (13/5) PaddyPower

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