English Premier
2013-05-19 - West Ham vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – Premier League
Sunday 19th May 2013 – Kickoff: 1600hrs
WEST HAM
It’s the last match of the season for West Ham at their Boleyn Ground when they entertain out-going Reading who bid farewell to the top flight following the end of this match but I for one, hope they’ll be back again soon.
West Ham have a good chance of ending their successful campaign by taking all three points against a spirited but at times toothless Reading outfit, and the hosts have lost just twice in their last eight matches with The Hammers enjoying the relative safety of tenth place. With an inferior goal difference to Swansea City, West Ham are likely to end the season in this position providing they win today.
Both of their recent defeats were inflicted upon them on the road at Manchester City 1-2 and Everton 0-2 in what was David Moyes’ final home match with Everton, so no disgrace on either result, and they’ve also recorded wins over West Brom and Wigan on home turf along with holding title holders Manchester United to a 2-2 draw and a point against Newcastle United.
West Ham’s overall home record stands at 8-6-4 30/20 and they’ve lost just once in their last eight at home too which was an entertaining 2-3 loss to Tottenham but they chalked up wins over Norwich City and Swansea City beforehand.
READING
Visitors Reading were in danger of being torn apart by Manchester City at the Madejski Stadium in midweek in the first 20 minutes, and had it not been for the heroics of their keeper McCarthy, The Royals could have been looking down the barrel at going into half-time 0-5 down such was City’s dominance.
It was an outstanding display by McCarthy and the back four in front of him as numerous shots were blocked, parried or saved but eventually the class and technique of City outweighed the grit and determination of the hosts. How much this match has taken out of Reading remains to be seen but Nigel Adkins faces a tough task of getting something at West Ham who have been solid this season under Big Sam.
It’s obviously Reading’s last match in the Premiership and they’ll be looking to give a good account of themselves but confidence must be at an all-time low having won just once from their last twelve matches with the solitary win during this period being a 4-2 success at Fulham last weekend. Sadly, it was too little too late for the Berkshire outfit and they now go in search of what would be only their third away win of the season if they upset The Hammers on Sunday, with an overall away record so far of a woeful 2-2-14 18/36.
THE BETTING VERDICT:
Quite frankly, I’m expecting nothing less than a West Ham win here today as surely McCarthy can’t have another game like he did the other night?? I’ll go for a 2-1 win for The Hammers.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
West Ham 2 Reading 1
BEST BETTING TIP :
Pick:Take West Ham to win @ 1.70 Ladbrokes
