English Premier
2009-05-16 - Everton vs West Ham
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League
Saturday 16th May 2009 - Kickoff 15:00
Everton (6th - Home Rec : 7-6-5 28:19)
There are two schools of thought about teams that reach an FA Cup final with little to play for in the league.
The mainstream thinking is that the players start to protect themselves from injury, and perhaps giving a little less thna 100%. Judging from the prices being offered for Everton here it seems that is how the bookmakers think that the public will bet.
However, with a manager like David Moyes, who has a pretty straight forward and honest approach to the game, I cannot see how punters would think that Everton will face their final home games of the season with a slack attitude.
The last two home results have been disappointing for Everton, and I'd expect Moyes to have been in his players faces this week reminding them that players are playing for Cup final spots in the line-up, and there is still a fortnight to go, AND a full stadium of home supporters to give a good performance to.
West Ham (9th - Away Rec : 5-7-6 18:20)
I thought that West Ham were a little unlucky last weekend against Liverpool, but only in the margin of the scoreline rather than it being an unfair result.
That loss was West Ham's 3rd loss in the last five games (Chelsea and Tottenham were the other two losses), and it just seems to me the Gianfranco Zola's side have run out of legs at the business end of the season.
The Hammers are still challenging for 7th play and that final Europa League spot, and to have any hope of securing it West Ham will need to gain a win here. That should mean an open contest.
Head to Head
West Ham have a pretty good record at Goodison Park in recent years, with one win and three draws from the last six visits.
Earlier this season Everton won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Upton Park.
The Betting Verdict
Everton are the stronger side to my mind, and if the only question mark is whether the players are up for this game, then I'll look no further than manager David Moyes for my answer.
West Ham will also be playing to win, and that should mean a more open game, but I feel that Everton will create the most chances and are likely to win
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Everton 2-0 West Ham
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take EVERTON to send the home fans off happy.
