Allardyce to inflict a Hammer blow on Rodgers
WEST HAM
LIVERPOOL …
Sunday 4pm
WEST HAM took an important step towards relocating to the Olympic Stadium this week and victory over Liverpool would cap an excellent few days for the club.
Sam Allardyce’s outfit showed their fighting spirit negotiating a tricky first half against Chelsea last time out and will need more of the same on Sunday. They are now up to eighth on the back of their home results this season and would be in the European positions if they could pick up some points on the road. Since the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, the Hammers have gone four home games without defeat, winning two of those against Southampton and Chelsea. Mohamed Diame might well return to the starting XI as his introduction helped turn the game against Chelsea.
Encouraging performances from James Collins and Joey O’Brien at the back have given the side a solid spine, with Carlton Cole, pictured, also back amongst the goals.
Liverpool’s over-reliance on Luis Suarez has always been a concern for Brendan Rodgers and he will have to make do without the Uruguayan after he received a fifth yellow card last weekend. Suarez has bagged 10 of Liverpool’s 19 league goals and is the heartbeat of the side. Given the mixed results produced up front by Raheem Stirling, Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Cole in Europe so far, that leaves Rodgers with a selection dilemma.
Carrow Road was the last away ground that Liverpool won at in the league and that came in September. The atmosphere around Upton Park will be electric, with fans sensing another scalp and I fancy them to do just that against a toothless Liverpool side.
Coral go 15/8 for a West Ham win and I’d snap that up. I also like the 2-1 scoreline, at 11/1 with Coral, so a buy of total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index is recommended.
Pointers…
West Ham at 15/8 with Coral
West Ham to win 2-1 at 11/1 with Coral
Buy total goals at 2.5 with Sporting Index
WIGAN
QPR
Tomorrow 3pm
HARRY Redknapp’s arrival at QPR has without doubt seen improvements at the club, but they remain rock-bottom and seven points from safety heading into the weekend. Rangers are up at the DW Stadium next where they will be aiming to get their first win of the season.
They have already gone close against Sunderland and Aston Villa and Redknapp will need to make the most of another week working with his players on the training pitch.
Wigan were well beaten at Newcastle on Monday night and will be without Maynor Figueroa after his dismissal against the Magpies. Roberto Martinez’s side are only two points clear of the relegation places as their recent form has seen them dragged back into danger.
Monday’s 3-0 defeat was a fourth reverse in five for the Latics and they have failed to find the back of the net in three of those. That spells trouble for the hosts as Redknapp has already made Rangers much more organised defensively and they have the talent at the other end to cause Wigan problems.
Jamie Mackie has been revitalised by the backroom changes and is a good shout to be amongst the goals after his equaliser against Villa.
The Latics are lacking confidence and are there for the taking, so punters should back the away win at 21/10 with Paddy Power to see QPR finally pick up those elusive first three points.
Pointers…
QPR at 21/10 with Paddy Power