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Premier League Betting Update; Man City v West Ham with the bookmakers making Man City their 13/10
Added: (Thu Aug 21 2008)
Mark Hughes’ tenure as Manchester City manager could barely have got off to a worse start.
He has failed to land his major transfer targets, the future (& funds) of owner Thaksin Shinawatra remain in question & FIFA are now investigating alleged non-payments in Elano’s deal last summer.
And performances on the pitch are even worse, with a humiliating home UEFA qualifying defeat to Danish minnows FC Midtjylland followed by a 4-2 opening day drubbing at Aston Villa to leave them 18th after round one.
To top it all off, injuries to Valery Bojinov, Benjani & Darius Vassell has robbed Hughes of his primary strikers for Sunday’s visit of West Ham.
Is there any hope that City could get their first points on Sunday? They do enjoy a decent record against this opposition; since the Hammers’ return in the 2005/06 season, the Sky Blues have lost just 2 of the 9 head to heads & only 1 of 5 at Eastlands. The one reverse was an FA Cup game back in 2006: City have not lost a home league game to the Londoners since their re-promotion (with 2 wins & 1 draw).
Also, City’s home record last season cannot be dismissed. They were 6th in the home league table, with just 4 defeats from 19 and only 20 goals conceded. Three of these 4 reverses were to top 5 sides, with the other defeat against Fulham coming when their season was effectively over in April.
West Ham did manage a 1-1 draw here last term & got their campaign off to a winning start with a solid 2-1 victory over Wigan last weekend. Their away record last term echoed their season in general in that it was plain average. Ninth in the away league with 6 wins, 3 draws & 10 defeats reeks of unspectacular yet solid progress (they only won 4 on the road the season before). Yet 4 of their 6 away wins came against the bottom 4 sides with none against the top 6, which would indicate that they still struggle when going to the top stadiums.
Furthermore, injuries to 11 players has again decimated Alan Curbishley’s squad, with the likes of Craig Bellamy, Kieran Dyer, George McCartney & Danny Gabbidon all crocked.
Overall, City’s current dire straits make them too vulnerable to support, yet their home record and solid form against this opposition somewhat appease their present predicaments. West Ham have made a good start and look the better side at present, but their inability to win at the sides mid-table and above is a major worry, as is their severe lack of personnel. As a result, both sides would probably be content with a draw and a stalemate looks the most likely outcome here.
We also feel a small wager on Dean Ashton to score first is in order. He was substituted against Wigan with severe cramp but has been given the all clear for Sunday which is a massive boost for the Eastenders. Ashton has been on fire over the last few months, with 7 goals in his last 9 league games and a further 6 during pre-season. He followed this up with a brilliant quick-fire brace last weekend and you’d have to fancy him against City’s distinctly wobbly defence; at the price he is certainly value.
Recommended Bets - Draw, 12/5, Boyle Sports
Recommended Bets - Dean Ashton to score first, 7/1, General
• All prices correct at time of writing.
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