Man City v West Ham (3pm SKY)

It’s not over until the fat lady sings, so they say. Or, in Eurovision, until the bearded lady sings!

Man City just need to avoid defeat to West Ham to clinch the Premier League title in a race where several of the leading contenders have all slipped up in the closing stages.

Arsenal, Chelsea and finally Liverpool have all had excellent chances but it’s now firmly in the grip of City now.

Liverpool need to beat Newcastle at Anfield but the rest is down to City and how they cope with West Ham (LIVE SKY 3pm). History shows they should dispose of them with ease….

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Jan 2014 Capital One West Ham 0-3 Man City
Jan 2014 Capital One Man City 6-0 West Ham
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

City know a draw today will do – but that’s hardly a strategy they are likely to rely on as the later the match gets the more chance could be that they slip up and concede a silly goal, so no doubt Manuel Pellegrini will look for an early goal to calm the nerves and get the celebrations underway early.

The good news for City is that Sergio Aguero is fit after a groin injury and West Ham have no new injury worries ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium.

If City do strike early then the floodgates could easily open up, if not, it could get very interesting given City’s trait of making life hard for themselves.

The big question is whether West Ham are up for, or more pertinently capable of playing the role of party poopers today. They don’t come here in form having lost four of their last five Premier League matches and were hammered (did you see what I did there?) 6-0 by Man City on their last trip to the Etihad in the Carling Cup.

But in many ways the stats go out of the window today as it is very much a one-off match and centres around whether City can cope with the pressure.

It’s been a season of twists and turns and don’t forget Liverpool were 1/7 favourites at one point but whether there is a final dramatic chapter is doubtful.

There’ll be plenty of bubbles at the Etihad – but more likely from the champagne bottles of the hosts rather than West Ham.

The bookings spread looks low – could easily get juicy if that first goal doesn’t come early.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale 1-100 points)

BUY BOOKINGS for 10 points at around 34 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (MAY): LOSS 193.00 POINTS

RUNNING RETURN (YEAR): LOSS 532.00 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.