Hammers hoping to secure top half finish with win over Toffees
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Sam Allardyce’s future on East London remains uncertain, but a victory for his West Ham United side over Everton would guarantee their place in the Premier League’s top 10 this season, while already-relegated Burnley will contest Stoke City, who only need a point to secure a top 10 finish.
West Ham United v Everton
In the top-flight’s penultimate fixtures this current campaign, the Hammers will hope to end their season a high, having started incredibly but gradually dropped off the pace.
Allardyce’s Upton Park outfit, who flirted with a Champions League place this campaign, are 9/2 to secure a triumph to nil, having recently done so against Sean Dyche’s Burnley on home soil. Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez’s Toffees have endured a similar fall from grace towards the season run-in and are a 7/5 chance to emerge victorious on their travels.
Cameroonian midfielder Alex Song made his return from injury in the previous outing against Aston Villa, and could be set to start this time out, while Nene may also be recalled. For the visitors, Aaron Lennon could feature in his final appearance of his loan spell, as he is unable to play against parent club Spurs on the final day, with Luke Garbutt likely to replace a sidelined Leighton Baines.
Belgium international sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the reverse league clash at Goodison Park and, also fired in during both FA Cup clashes this term, so he is 9/2 to score first again on the road.
The hosts have will hope superb South American attacker Enner Valencia can finish the campaign on a high, having also slotted home against Everton in the cup clash last January, and he is a 7/1 chance to strike the game’s last goal.
Burnley v Stoke
Dyche’s Clarets have already assured their return to the second tier next term, but they will be up for the fight nevertheless, having shown true bravery all season.
The hosts are 6/4 to claim a shock victory at Turf Moor, having rallied to a 2-1 triumph in the reverse fixture last November, when star striker Danny Ings bagged a brilliant brace.
A point will be enough to maintain the Potters’ position in the Premier League top 10 this term, and Mark Hughes will want his side to finish the campaign in high spirits. The visitors are 11/2 to win and both teams to score, but will be without injured Victor Moses, while Asmir Begovic is in contention for a return.
Burnley have Sam Vokes back from a thigh injury, but are still missing midfielder Dean Marney and defender Kevin Long, who are both suffering from knee problems.
In-form Ings is likely to be making his final home appearance, with Manchester United and Liverpool reportedly keen on his services, and is an 8/1 chance to net another delightful double, while fellow forward threat Vokes is 2/1 to strike anytime on his return to action.
The Clarets are the only current Premier League side that Stoke striker Peter Crouch is yet to get the better of, and the towering target man is 6/1 to make amends by opening proceedings.
