Hammers can end Arsenal’s slim Premier League title hopes, Man City to banish Baggies
Published:
Lee Gormley | April 8, 2016
Two live Premier League clashes can be enjoyed this Saturday, as West Ham United host Arsenal at Upton Park in the early kick-off, with the Hammers hoping to end their opponent’s already slim title aspirations.
Meanwhile, in the evening encounter, Manchester City will welcome Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad, as they aim to keep their hopes of a Champions League position alive since scuppering their chances of top-flight silverware success.
West Ham United v Arsenal
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 9th
- Kick-off: 12:45 BST
- Upton Park, London
- Live on BT Sport 1
Gunners target Hammers victory on travels
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal will go into their away clash with West Ham already 11 points behind league leaders Leicester City and any slip up will see their title hopes dashed, against a side that prevailed in the reverse clash last August.
The Hammers hold a very poor record on home soil in games with their fellow Londoners, having lost their last five successive capital clashes there, though they are boosted by recent form and enter proceedings at 11/4 with Coral for a second consecutive fixture victory.
Arsenal are aiming to keep whatever chance of silverware they have alive and take to the Upton Park turf at evens to succeed on the road, while West Ham look to boost their Champions League spot ambitions further before a summer move to the Olympic Stadium.
Payet key to success
The performances of mercurial midfielder Dimitri Payet have been key to success so far this season for Slaven Bilic’s east London outfit, and the in-form France international is set for another expectant showing on home soil.
Payet is 2/1 to dispatch anytime after returning from impressive outings for his country, with the creative attacker looking forward to a huge summer at Euro 2016, and he will be the main threat to Wenger’s Gunners.
Although, towering targetman Andy Carroll is always a threat at 23/10 to net anytime, while fellow frontman Diafra Sakho is 15/8 to get his name on the scoresheet. Former Gunners midfielder Alex Song is ready for another outing against his old employers and is 11/1 to strike past them this time out.
Welbeck a threat to hosts
England international forward Danny Welbeck was on target in the 2-1 victory at Upton Park last term and is 5/1 to open proceedings on his latest appearance, following his opener in a win over Everton earlier this month.
Olivier Giroud also struck in this fixture last season, during a 3-0 victory at the Emirates, and the France frontman is 5/1 to bag the game’s last goal here, potentially adding to his tally of 22 for club and country.
Clinical Chilean Alexis Sanchez finally returned to scoring ways last time out, finding the net in a comfortable 4-0 triumph over Watford and the South American attacker is 5/4 for another anytime at Upton Park.
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
- Premier League
- Saturday, April 9th
- Kick-off: 17:30 BST
- The Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Live on Sky Sports 1
City clash with Baggies on home soil
Manuel Pellegrini’s Man City have drifted a massive 15 points off front runners Leicester but next face a side they hold a dominant record over, having toppled West Brom in their last eight successive match-ups.
The Sky Blues are 11/5 to earn three points over the Baggies with both teams scoring, while Pulis’ West Midlands team arrive as 9/1 outsiders for away success, after losing just one of their previous five games.
A scoreless draw with relegation strugglers Sunderland would have been a sickening result for Baggies boss Pulis, and he must now set up his side to counter the attacking threat that City possess.
Aguero aiming to end Baggies run
Sergio Aguero has not netted past Wess Brom since April 2014 but the Argentine marksman has enjoyed fine form of late and is 2/1 to end that run with a brace or more this time out on home soil.
Meanwhile, Yaya Toure is 5/4 to tuck home anytime, following his strike during the 3-0 reverse clash coup at The Hawthorns last August, with Spanish maestro David Silva 7/4 to strike, having done so that day too.
Kelechi Iheanacho could be set for another appearance off the bench and, after nine goals in all competitions this season, the talented teenager is 4/1 to the net the game’s last strike. Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho helped earn a promising Champions League draw with PSG in midweek and they are evens and 11/4 respectively to find the target again anytime here.
For the visitors, Saido Berahino (9/1 last goal), Salomon Rondon (7/2 anytime) and Victor Anichebe (5/1 anytime) are all attacking dangers, while former Liverpool and Southampton forward Rickie Lambert is 5/1 to strike anytime.
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