English Premier
2010-11-13 - West Ham United vs Blackpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 13 November 2010 - Kickoff 3pm
West Ham United
Avram Grant needs a win here as the pressure on him as manager of West Ham begins to build more and more. Another late goal denied them a win on Wednesday and there were already rumours that the Israeli's position was going to be reviewed after the next week or so.
The Hammers remain bottom of the Premier League and find themselves 4 points from the safety of 17th. They did have a tough start to the season in terms of fixtures but 1 win from their 12 games is a disappointment for the fans and the owners. West Ham are 1-2-3 at Upton Park this season, scoring 7 goals and conceding 11. Only Wigan have conceded more at home this season.
West Ham have picked up 2 points from their last 2 games, but will be disappointed as they had a 2 goal lead at Birmingham last week and also led at home against West Brom.
The Hammers have failed to win any of their last 6 in the Premier League, 3 of those games taking place here, since beating Tottenham 1-0. A real problem for the Hammers is the fact they have just 1 clean sheet all season, in the game they won.
There are no fresh injury worries for Avram Grant here.
Possible West Ham United Line Up:
Green, Jacobsen, Ilunga, Gabbidon, Upson, Parker, Dyer, Boa Morte, Barrera, Cole and Piquionne (4-4-2)
Blackpool
Ian Holloway threatened to resign as manager if he was fined for playing a side against Aston Villa that consisted of 10 changes. While that investigation continues, Blackpool come down to London for what looks like a really important game for both sides.
The Seasiders may have lost 3-2 at Villa Park on Wednesday, but they performed well regardless of the changes. However, a loss means no points as Blackpool slipped to 14th in the table, only 3 points clear of the relegation zone. They have impressed away from home, compiling a 3-0-4 record, scoring 10 goals and conceding 16. They have the same number of away wins as Chelsea and Arsenal this season.
Inconsistancy has to be expected from a side like Blackpool that play adventurous attacking football in their first season in the Premier League. That can be highlighted with their overall record this season. Blackpool have lost back to back away games in the Premier League and all of their away defeats have come in the southern part of the country- 2 in the Midlands and 2 in London.
After resting 10 players on Wednesday, Ian Holloway is expected to recall the majority of those that played against Everton last weekend.
Possible Blackpool Line Up:
Gilks, Eardley, Crainey, Cathcart, Evatt, Vaughan, Adam, Southern, Taylor-Fletcher, Varney and Campbell (4-3-3)
Head to Head
These two last played in the 1970-71 season so to say head to head is irrelevant is not an understatement.
Prediction
This is sure to be as exciting as it is going to be intense in my opinion. Both teams try and play good football, and Blackpool are always going to give teams a chance with the way they attack without caution.
Understandably, the odds for both teams to score and the over 2.5 goals are short enough as many will be expecting these to come in. I am going to play a different option and pick West Ham to get a vital home 3 points here.
They have been close on the last 2 occasions to picking up a win, and I feel they have the front line to cause problems for Blackpool. The odds are just under evens, and I will take them to win here. Can Blackpool play in the South? Not much of a theory to be perfectly honest, but they have struggled with the away games down South so let us see.
I'll take West Ham to win.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Ham United 3-2 Blackpool
