Saturday, January 13, 2007

WEST HAM UNITED - FULHAM


It is twelve days since the Hammers were humiliated 6-0 at Reading and believe me, they were and deserved to be, totally shamed by that display.


That is a very long time for a professional footballer to have to live with such an abysmal performance. They did manage a 3-0 win over Division 1 side Brighton in the FA Cup, but that would have been scant consolation.


The ONLY thing that matters to West Ham is Premiership survival. Four points adrift of safety and facing two very difficult games up next, anything less than 3 points today, will leave them with a huge mountain to climb.


Icelandic owner Eggert Magnusson, has already released significant funds to allow Alan Curbishley to sign Luis Boa Morte and Nigel Quashie, both will make their Premiership debuts today.


It is goals that have been a real problem for United, only 12 all season, with just 3 coming in the opening 45 minutes of play. Fulham are hardly prolific in this department either, they have drawn 5 in a row, failed to score in 4 of the last 7 and have drawn at half time in 13 starts, a division high total.


Given those statistics, a half time stalemate, currently available at 2.28 on the exchanges, looks a very sound wager.


However, I feel the Irons will come good today, they HAVE to, it is hard to explain why a team that can call on Zamora, Tevez, Cole, Harewood and Boa Morte and some other creative players, should have such problems scoring.


Tevez is a world class player, I have absolutely no doubt of that, he is finally showing signs of coming to terms with Premiership football, expect him to put on a masterclass some time soon.


The draw- home double result, also carries a lot of appeal at the 5.90 mark, but the easier option for me, a home win.


4 points West Ham United -1/4 ball 1.81 asian line Betfair.


Good Luck.

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