DEC 13: ENGLISH FOOTBALL BETTING PREVIEW

WEST HAM have been the story of the season in the Premier League. Sure, Southampton have surprised most and Newcastle have recovered superbly from a poor start – but did anyone really believe the Hammers would be sitting in a Champions League spot after 15 games.

Chances of Sam Allardyce’s side being there at the end of the season are nil but I expect them to climb to third by sinking Sunderland today.

Gus Poyet’s side did well to pick up points against Chelsea and Liverpool but can’t park the bus against West Ham – fans wouldn’t accept that.

Goals remain the Makems concern with just 13 in total while Allardyce’s outfit are the league’s third highest scorers, have won three in a row and have Andy Carroll fit and hitting the target. How much would the Geordie love to net at the Stadium of Light?

West Ham are a best 7-4 at Ladbrokes and Carroll is 11-5 at Ladbrokes to net at any time.

I tipped Man City to exit from the Champions League in midweek but they did well to weather a Roma storm then kick on to win. City head to a Leicester side who have led in their last three games before conceding eight goals in total – today they’ll probably lose without taking the lead.

Nigel Pearson’s men are rock bottom having taken just two points from their last 10 games and it’s impossible to ignore City at 1-2 with the likes of Ladbrokes.

City are still without Sergio Aguero but could have Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Yaya Toure back. If Toure starts take him at 19-10 with 888sport to score.

Chelsea are aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at Newcastle by beating Hull. This is no-brainer for me but the Blues are no bigger than 1-5 so consider Chelsea to win to nil at 7-10 with McBookie. Steve Bruce’s men are without a win in eight and netted just two in seven.

The late game sees Newcastle visit Arsenal and it’s a tough call. Newcastle have lost on four of their last five at the Emirates – three of them by three or more goals.

Injury-hit Gunners played well at Galatasaray but can they be trusted at 9-20 with bet365? The visitors, with two defeats in their last 13, are 15-2 at boylesports and I may dabble with Alan Pardew’s men draw no bet at 11-2 with McBookie.

In the Championship I like Watford against Malky Mackay’s Wigan. Mackay returns with a struggling club and the home men are 23-20 at Ladbrokes to follow last week’s 5-0 thumping of Fulham with another three points.

Sheffield Wednesday can make it three wins in a row against freefalling Wolves and I like Brentford at home to Blackburn although both to score might be the better shout.

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