Hammered ?
Just as we found out last night, the formbook goes out of the window when it comes to comparing Premier League form against the Carling Cup.
To be honest it’s not proving too reliable in the Premier League either but that’s a subject for another day.
It was a good result for the column yesterday though with a sell of Man U supremacy at 0.65.
Man U are now very much in the ‘special category’ when it comes to punting and extreme caution seems to be the only way forward, or just backing against them.
West Ham need to do a ‘Sunderland’ tonight – and try and get some kind of result against Man City to give them at least a lifeline going into the second leg.
After the abject failure of West Ham at the weekend when they were booted out of the FA Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest (5-0) how can you seriously give them ANY chance tonight?
Allardyce has a vote of confidence from the Board – but not so much from the fans and it’s hardly surprising given his ‘junior’ team selection which treated the competition (and his supporters) with contempt and to be frank, he got what he deserved. His only defence is his miserable injury list.
Whatever Allardyce thought of the FA Cup you can be sure the Capital One Cup has a bigger priority and he has already indicated he will be fielding a much stronger team but whether it’s enough to trouble Man City at home is a moot point. City have scored a staggering average of 3.7 goals at the Etihad this season.
The head to head records also don’t give the Hammers much chance:
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Oct 2013 Premier West Ham 1-3 Man City
Apr 2013 Premier Man City 2-1 West Ham
Nov 2012 Premier West Ham 0-0 Man City
May 2011 Premier Man City 2-1 West Ham
Dec 2010 Premier West Ham 1-3 Man City
May 2010 Premier West Ham 1-1 Man City
Sep 2009 Premier Man City 3-1 West Ham
Mar 2009 Premier West Ham 1-0 Man City
Aug 2008 Premier Man City 3-0 West Ham
Jan 2008 Premier Man City 1-1 West Ham
West Ham’s only ever win at the Etihad Stadium came in 2006 when they beat City in an FA Cup quarter-final tie.
A buy of Total Goals at a starting point of around 3.8 with Star Spreads is my bet tonight. It’s quite a high starting point but not sure there’s too much downside.
RECOMMENDED BET (1-10 points)
BUY TOTAL GOALS for 5 points at around 3.8 with Star Spreads
RUNNING RETURN (JANUARY): PLUS 6.85 POINTS
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
