West Ham United V Fulham – Sunday 4th October

 

English Premiership 2009/2010

 

 

West Ham United V Fulham

 

 

Kick-off: Sunday 4^th October – 15:00 GMT

Venue: Upton Park

 

 

West Ham United

 

League Position: 18th

Recent Form: LDLLL

 

Gianfranco Zola has a lot of work to do over the course of the week as he aims to resurrect a West Ham side that has now lost three games on the bounce, with defeats against both Liverpool & Man City, both very good sides it has to be said, still fresh in the memory. Because of the stature of the two teams that West ham have lost to recently, the players and management shouldn’t be too hard on themselves as they weren’t too bad in either, especially at home to Liverpool. They could of done a bit better away at City on Monday night, but not many gave them much hope in that game, not even us.

  

Overall, West Ham have been a decent little team this season, although, results haven’t really gone their way and the three defeats, in succession, has now left West Ham gasping for clean air in 18^th position, in the relegation zone. With this mind, it’s pivotal that West Ham get the win here at home against the travelling Fulham as anything but would only hinder the confidence of the West Ham players as it’s now been five games since West Ham last won a match in the league, over a month ago now.

  

West Ham are generally pretty solid at home and it will take a big performance from Fulham to overcome the Hammers at Upton Park, especially seeing as West Ham have won three of the previous four encounters at home against the Cottagers. However, that won’t mean anything if West Ham don’t meet the expectations of the fans and beat Fulham on Sunday. They have an inform Carlton Cole at their disposal, with the English international already scoring three league goals thus far, while they have a solid midfield consisting of Scott Parker (Captain) & Mark Noble, guarding what is usually an organised defence.

 

However it was the West Ham defence that was found wanting at The City of Manchester stadium last Monday, with their marking, particularly from set-pieces, well below par. Also, an area that desperately needs attention is at full-back. Herita Illunga & Julien Faubert, couldn’t keep up with the sheer pace and movement of Bellamy & Wright-Philips down the flanks. The West Ham defence was breached with ease on several occasion on Monday, and Zola will need to work on his defence over the course of the week if the Hammers are to avoid another similar, embarrassing defensive performance at home to Fulham.

 

 

Fulham

 

League Position: 17^th

Recent Form: LLWLL

 

Roy Hodgeson will have to mend a few broken and tired souls during the week after Fulham undeservedly lost at the weekend. The Cottagers put in one of their best shifts since they’ve been in the Premiership only to see their efforts go wanting. Fulham suffered their fourth defeat in six games on Saturday when Arsenal snatched a 1-0 victory away from Craven Cottage and left Fulham perilously close to entering the drop zone. Another defeat in this London derby would almost certainly see Fulham joining Portsmouth and Hull City in the bottom three, something which every team will be eager to avoid.

  

Fulham were outstanding against Arsenal and, were it not for the Arsenal goalie; Vito Mannone, putting in a man of the match display, Fulham may have won that encounter. They carved Arsenal’s defence open again and again, only to see an unbeatable Mannone thwarting their goal bound efforts. However, although the result was far from ideal, as it does leave them in a precarious league position, manager Roy Hodgeson will take a lot of positives out of game where Fulham defended resolutely, worked hard in midfield and created several goalscoring opportunities that, one any other day, would have seen Fulham secure all three points.

 

It’s vital that Roy Hodgeson lifts the Fulham players as they can’t afford to dwell on a game that could of bared more fruit. The positive for the Fulham squad is that another performance of that magnitude would see them go very close to recording a big victory away at local rivals; West ham United. However, Damien Duff did pick up a knock in that defeat to Arsenal and he is a doubt for this game with the Hammers.

 

 

 

Head-to-Head:

 

 

West Ham United W: 7 Fulham W: 0 Draws: 3

 

 

Fulham have an abysmal record against the Hammers, especially at Upton Park. The last four visits to Upton Park has bared no fruit, with West Ham winning the previous four encounters at home. You have to look back to the 2002/2003 season for when Fulham last had a positive result at Upton Park, while their only victory at Upton Park to date came the season before when they beat the Hammers 2-0 back in 2002. A Fulham victory on Sunday would be their first in over eight years, and after eleven attempts.

 

 

Over 2.5 Goals: 6 Under 2.5 Goals: 4

 

 

Potential Over backers can rejoice here as the last four meetings at Upton Park have finished with three of more goals. Upton Park has been a venue which has produced some memorable affairs between the two, with the dull games coming in the reverse fixture back at Craven Cottage.

 

 

 

Match Verdict: West Ham United to WIN – 5/4 Bet365

 

Confidence within the West Ham ranks might not be too high right now after a run of three straight defeats but they should overcome a Fulham side lacking the pace and creativity of Damien Duff down the wing. His absence will leave a big void down the left wing and it’s hard to see Fulham causing West Ham as many problems without the Irishman. West Ham, however, will have an inform Carlton Cole raring to go and his goal on Monday should give him a big confidence boost, unlike his colleagues, who may well be feeling the affect of a few defeats. However, West Ham have some wise heads in their squad, none more so than Scott Parker, the club captain. He has pretty much been in every sticky situation under the sun in football and his experience will be vital as West Ham aim to get their season back on track, starting with a win over Fulham in front of the home fans.

 

 

 

Match Odds:

 

 

West Ham United – 5/4 Bet365

 

Fulham – 13/5 Boylesports

 

Draw – 12/5 StanJames

 

 

 

SoccerBetting Tip: West Ham United to WIN by 2 or more goals – 7/2 Bet365