West Ham United V Blackburn Rovers Betting: Saturday, 30th January

West Ham United V Blackburn Rovers

Saturday, 30^th January – 15:00 GMT

West Ham United

League Position: 16th

Recent Form: DWLDD

West Ham will be hoping to better their run of one win in eight when they entertain Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. Fortunately for the Hammers fans, Upton Park will be the venue for their side after West Ham spent their previous three league games on the road, although they did fare better than some expected – drawing two and losing one. However, West Ham aren’t winning anywhere near enough matches to sustain a survival push and before long they could become stranded near the foot of the table.

For the time being, West Ham are on safe ground and occupy 16^th position. However, the gap between them and the drop is nothing, just a mere few goals as Burnley in 18^th have the same amount of points as West Ham meaning defeat for the Hammers could see them reacquaint themselves with life in the bottom three. A home fixture with Blackburn Rovers does give them an ideal opportunity to avoid such a feat and West Ham followers will have happy memories of their last home sighting of their idols as West Ham gave their survival bid a huge boost by beating Portsmouth 2-0 at Upton Park. However, that victory, their only one in eight league games, came over a month ago and West Ham have once again lost that winning rhythm, or any chance of gaining one.

The talk of the town has been their new owners of David Sullivan & David Gold, both long-time West Ham fans. However, while the fans will be happy that a set of Hammers fans are at the helm of their club, the pair don’t boast a great deal of wealth and an influx of cash for Zola to spend isn’t to be expected. Then again, rumours are circulating that Carlton Cole, who could make his long awaited return from injury after a two month lay-off this Saturday, could be set for a new striking partner as reports claim West Ham have lodged a bid for Blackburn’s Benni McCarthy. The irony would be that Sam Allardyce selects McCarthy for this trip to Upton Park and he scores, but the pair have fallen out and a deal appears to be on the cards between the two clubs.

McCarthy won’t solve their initial problems, though, he can only aid their survival bid. Relegation from the Premiership would be catastrophic but games like this cannot be passed up. A game such as this could define West Ham’s season as defeat against one of the poorest travelling sides in the league could do serious damage to the spirit of the Hammers camp. West Ham have, however, only lost two of their last eight home games in the league, three of which were wins, so the West Ham fans should at least be optimistic of seeing their sides winning for the first time in a month.

Blackburn Rovers

League Position: 11th

Recent Form: DDLWW

Blackburn did appear a club with the potential of being drawn into a relegation battle but a couple of decent results has seen them enforce a gap between them and the stragglers. The gap now between Rovers and the bottom three is seven points but a win at Upton Park would put ten points between them and a side destined to be struggling come May.

Blackburn are riding high on a euphoric wave at current after completing their first set of back-to-back wins since early November when they beat Portsmouth & Bolton either side of an international break. Those victories were, however, over teams struggling near the foot of the table but their opponents on Saturday are no different, so the omens do look good. However, their credentials this Saturday take a battering when you see that Rovers have won just one away game all season, with that solitary away win coming in the form of a 2-0 victory at Bolton. That came back in November and they have since gone on another baron away run, not winning in any of their previous five away outings, picking up just two points from a possible fifteen.

Rovers have been a poor outfit on the road this season and their record of 1-2-8 just about speaks for itself. Scoring away from home has been an issue, with Blackburn yet to reach double figures on the road this season with 8 away goals to their name. However, to make matters a whole lot worse they’ve been shipping a far few in return; conceding 28 away goals in just eleven outings. They were smashed off the park in their last away venture, losing 4-1 at Man City, although the positives to take from Rovers’ recent away trips has been their ability to get on the score sheet, scoring in three successive away games, albeit managing just the one on each occasion.

Match Verdict: West Ham United to WIN – 2.20 Boylesports

A draw wouldn’t be a bad short as neither look particularly strong in the form book. However, West Ham fans really do know how to get right behind their team when their backs are against the walls and they will be out in force when one of the poorest away teams in the league pay them a visit. Blackburn have an awful trend of losing most of their away fixtures, avoiding defeat on just three occasions in their eleven away outings thus far. West Ham, however, clearly know the importance of performing at home with three of their four victories coming at Upton Park. The Hammers prioritise their home fixtures and try their utmost to get all three points, whereas Rovers are suffering from a severe case of travel-sickness. A home win for us in what is a huge fixture for West Ham and their new owners.

Match Odds:

West Ham United – 2.20 Boylesports

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Blackburn Rovers – 3.75 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Pick: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.00 PaddyPower