English Premier
2012-09-22 - West Ham United vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday 22nd September - Kickoff 3:00pm
West Ham
The Hammers are in 8th place with 7 points from 4 played. Big Sam's goal is to avoid relegation then worry about final standings. So far it's going well as the East London club look more than competitive in this league.
Allardyce orchestrated an opening day win over Villa at Upton Par (1-0) but was soon brought down to earth as Swansea easily beat the Hammers (3-0). In the next home game order was restored thanks to another 3-0 scoreline this time in West Ham's favour against Fulham. The second home win was backed up with a point at Norwich (0-0) leaving the Hammers on a nice 2 game unbeaten run before they host Sunderland.
2 home games and 2 wins is impressive and both wins "to nil" was not expected. Both of their opponents are not known for their away records in particular Fulham who are dreadful on the road. Villa haven't won away in a long time either but West Ham can only beat what's in front of them. The Mackem's are also poor away from home so there's a good chance of making it 3 from 3 for Big Sam's side.
Sunderland
Sunderland have 3 points from 3 games. The Mackem's like Stoke haven't won or lost a game as all their matches have ended in a stalemate.
O'Neil has assembled a decent side here at Sunderland and I'm expecting them to finish in the top half of the table. So far it's gone ok for the Mackems, Arsenal (0-0), Swansea and Liverpool (1-1) are all good results at this early stage of the season.
2 of the draws came away from home which is a big improvement from this side. Sunderland haven't won away since February some games ago. They do have a knack of salvaging draws though as 5 have ended all square which includes the 2 from this season.
It's hard to judge this side away from home. In the last 6 road games Sunderland have failed to score in half but did score 2 at Swansea and somehow 3 at Champions City. Often if they get 1 it opens the floodgates for a few more, but will they get that 1 against the Hammers?
Betting Verdict
The Hammers are favourites here but this doesn't look so clear cut. Sunderland are unbeaten and under O'Neil I think they can go places starting with a good result at Upton Park this weekend.
Big Sam's side will attack and go for 3 straight wins in front of the home faithful. Sunderland have the players to exploit the Hammers on the break and if we get an early goal I think we will get 3 goals in this one.
A big if for this punt is if the Mackems can find the net. In the past they have struggled but I think this team will be a goal threat on Saturday. West Ham are not a good side defensively despite their 2 home wins and so long as this has 1 goal by half time I see 3 by full time.
If pressed for a winner I actually prefer the visitors can shock the layers in this one. West Ham are decent but are due to regress at some point and that may happen this weekend.
Good Luck
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Ham 1-2 Sunderland
