Baggies can cause West Ham Upton Park Premier League problems
Published:
Holly Thackeray | November 28, 2015
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion
- Premier League
- Sunday, November 29th
- Kick-off: 14:05 GMT
- Upton Park, London
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Albion could prove a thorny opponent
In recent Premier League history, West Bromwich Albion have been somewhat of a bogey side for upcoming Upton Park hosts West Ham, and actually hold the historical head-to-head record against the Hammers, having defeated them in 39 meetings across all competitions.
Can Tony Pulis’ travelling team make it a fantastic 40 as they leave the Midlands for a clash in the capital? Coral have the Baggies priced brilliantly at 14/5 to do so, a generous offer as West Brom have lost just one of their last four battles against the Londoners, and notably stung Arsenal last time out.
Though, there may perhaps be a more prudent bet to take, as six of the past 10 scuffles between these two teams have been draws, with only one of Albion’s previous five encounters at Upton Park a defeat. This means a splitting of the spoils at 23/10 looks tasty, as both sides also have injury concerns.
Should customers instead fancy the Irons for victory, as they are much improved as an attacking force under Slaven Bilic, then the hosting Hammers are an 11/10 chance. Though, home advantage may not count for much, as West Ham have recorded just two league triumphs on their own turf this term.
Berahino likes to bag against Hammers
By contrast, West Brom are wily away and have returned pointless from just two Premier League road trips so far and conceded just four in those fixtures away from The Hawthorns.
Reported Tottenham and Chelsea target Saido Berahino may have been a substitute against the Gunners, but should surely feature for more minutes at Upton Park, one of the striker’s favoured hunting grounds.
Berahino has hit four from his last five in all competitions against West Ham, with two occurring in as many of his past appearances in east London. With stats like that, odds of 15/8 for the Burundi-born England Under-21 star in the anytime market, or 13/2 to fire in last, look superb.
Alternatively for Albion, midfielder James Morrison, who grabbed a goal against Arsenal, is 5/1 to notch anytime again.
Hammers hopes
Without a win in four, and with Tottenham schooling Bilic’s boys last time out, West Ham need to stop the slide. Playmaker Dimitri Payet’s absence has understandably hurt, but there are still game-changers in the Upton Park ranks.
Argentine attacker Manuel Lanzini has been another Hammers summer transfer hit and lashed in a lovely consolation goal at White Hart Lane. So, back the youngster at 7/1 to open the scoring, or enduring battering ram Andy Carroll at 7/4 to strike anytime.
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