English Premier
2013-05-19 - West Ham United vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 19 May 2013 - Kick Off 4pm
West Ham United
Sam Allardyce has signed an extension as manager of West Ham United in what is an exiting period for the club as they get ready to move from Upton Park to the Olympic Stadium. It has certainly been a successful first season back in the Premier League for the Hammers and they would certainly like to finish in the top half of the table.
At the start of the final set of games, West Ham United are 10th in the Premier League and a win here would see them finish in the top half of the table. The side have a 8-6-4 record at Upton Park so far this season, scoring 30 goals and conceding 20 in those games.
West Ham have only won 1 of their last 7 games in the Premier League and will want to finish this season in a positive state with another three points on the board. However, their best results have come at home and they have only lost 1 of their last 9 at Upton Park in all competitions. West Ham have won 2 of their last 4 home games in the Premier League.
James Tomkins is doubtful for this final game of the season.
Reading
It looked like it was going to be a tough season for Reading and their slide back into the Championship was confirmed last month. They changed their manager from Brian McDermott to Nigel Adkins and the former Southampton manager has at least recorded his first win as manager of Reading in their last trip into London.
Reading are 19th in the Premier League and can avoid finishing bottom of the table if they get any kind of result from Upton Park or if Queens Park Rangers fail to win at Anfield. They have a 2-2-14 away record in the League this season, scoring 18 goals but conceding 36.
The side have won just 1 of their last 13 games in all competitions, although that did come in their last away games at Fulham when Reading recorded a 2-4 scoreline. Reading's win at Fulham also stopped a run of 6 straight losses away from home in all competitions.
Jimmy Kebe and Jason Roberts will be missing in what is an otherwise full strength squad.
Head to Head
Reading beat West Ham United 1-0 earlier this season to continue their recent dominance of this fixture.
Since the beginning of last season, Reading have won all three games played between these teams.
West Ham have failed to win any of their last 3 home games against Reading, losing 2 of those including a 2-4 defeat last season.
Prediction
Reading have been playing a little freer after relegation was confirmed and I expect them to play their part in what could be an entertaining end to the season. West Ham United can score plenty of goals at home too and while 1.70 won't get the blood rushing, I do expect goals in this game.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
West Ham United 2-2 Reading
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.70
