ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PICK - MANCHESTER UTD V WEST HAM UTD

English Premier

2008-05-03 - Manchester Utd vs West Ham Utd

A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner

Manchester United vs West Ham United
England, Premier League
Saturday 3rd May 2008 - KO 12:45

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Manchester United

Manchester United booked their place in the Champions League final with a determined defensive performance against Barcelona, and can now take big step towards the Premier League title here at Old Trafford.

However, they'll have to do it against West Ham, a side who have turned into a real bogey side for United with the Hammers winning each of the last three clashes. (see recent head to head)

Injuries have taken the swagger from United in the last couple of weeks, with the absences of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic affecting the teams shape.

Manager Alex ferguson is saying that both players should "take part" in this game - but then again he said the same thing about the Champions League semi-final and neither appeared.

WEST HAM UNITED

For West Ham United this game had nothing riding on it except the players professional pride. There is no relegation issue or European challenge.

West Ham have won just one of their last six league games (and that was a 2-1 win over lowly Derby County - so the form is not good - and away from home the Hammers have lost 4 in their last five games.

But, playing Manchester United is something that gets West Ham going, and with a huge TV audience as well we are sure to see a battling performance.

RECENT HEAD TO HEAD

Last season West Ham turned up at Old Trafford needing an improbable win against the newly crowned champions to avoid relegation and that was exactly what West Ham got winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Carlos Tevez.

And earlier this season United were cruising 1-0 at Upton Park with 13 minutes left before Anton Ferdinand and Matthew Upson came up with late goals to give West Ham yet another famous win.

And of course let's not forget that back in 1995, Manchester United travelled to West Ham on the final day of the season needing a win to clinch the title - but the Hammers forced a 1-1 draw and Blackburn Rovers were crowned champions.

Overall though, Manchester United have a 4-0-2 record in the last six at Old Trafford agaisnt West Ham, and a 2-2-2 record at Upton Park.

Advantage to the Red Devils certainly - but upsets do happen when they play West Ham.

THE VERDICT

Of course nearly everything points to a Manchester United win. United's one slip-up in the last six home games was the derby against City - everything else has been very solid.

However - United's price is low - too low given the number of times that West Ham have caused surprises.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

No bet for me - the home win price is just too low.