English Premier
2011-02-02 - Blackpool vs West Ham
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England : Premier League
Wednesday 2nd February 2011 – Kickoff 8pm
Home side Blackpool entertain visitors West Ham at their Bloomfield Road ground on Wednesday night with both sides keen to take all three points – Blackpool to keep the threat of relegation at bay, and West Ham to pull away from the bottom of the table.
Blackpool
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway will be mightily relieved to have held onto influential midfielder Charlie Adam (4 goals, 5 assists) which in these days of open cheque books is equal to a new signing. Holloway has also secured the services of Rangers striker James Beattie (on loan) and this will be a valuable signing for the Seasiders as he scores goals wherever he goes.
The Tangerines home record stands at 3-2-5 17/19, with forward DJ Campbell (8 goals) leading their scoring. There is also the aforementioned Charlie Adam, Luke Varney (5 goals, 3 assists), Marlon Harewood (5 goals, 1 assist) and Gary Taylor-Fletcher (4 goals, 2 assists) – and Beattie hasn't played a game yet!
With these sorts of statistics and attacking players at his disposal, I guess it's little surprise that all ten of Blackpool's home matches have all resulted in over 2.5 goals.
Incidentally, Blackpool have lost their last two at home to Sunderland 1-2 and Manchester United 2-3.
West Ham
West Ham will view this fixture as a match they could get all three points from. Blackpool will attack them from the off, but this will also create the opportunities to hit them on the break.
The Hammers need something in their favour as their away form has been poor; 1-5-6 10/24, with only Blackburn Rovers (27), Aston Villa (27) and West Brom (26) conceding more away goals than them.
The Hammers got their first away win at Fulham on Boxing Day winning 3-1, but since then they’ve been on the receiving end of a 0-5 thumping at Newcastle United and then earned a draw at Everton 2-2.
Frederic Piquionne (6 goals, 2 assists) leads the way, while midfielder Scott Parker (4 goals, 1 assist) has chipped in along with striker Carlton Cole (3 goals, 1 assist).
Forward, Victor Obinna (3 assists) has been the main provider, but if Robbie Keane makes his debut, this only adds to the attacking options on hand to manager Avram Grant and also assists in my selection for this match.
Of West Ham's twelve away matches, seven of them have resulted in over 2.5 goals.
The Betting Verdict :
Both Blackpool and West Ham do not know how to defend, and prefer attack to defence - this should be a nailed on Over 2.5.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Over 2.5 Goals in the Match
BEST BETTING TIP :
Main Pick: Take Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.73 with Ladbrokes
