Premier League / Richard Walker / 30 November 2008 / 1 Comments

Liverpool's recent form makes formidable reading and Gianfranco Zola is going to need every one of players to be at their best if the Hammers are to take anything from this fixture, says Richard Walker.

Fourteen wins and four draws from their last 18 Premier League home games, only one defeat in their most recent 21 league games, four clean sheets in the last five, no goals against for over five hours, last home defeat to a London side was more than three years ago. Some lovely Liverpool stats (I hate stats and trends!) for you.

All the best then, Gianfranco! Just as well Mr Zola has a fully-fit West Ham United squad travelling to Anfield for this Setanta Sports Monday nighter. Craig Bellamy will be itching to prove a point or two against his former club but, frankly, I don't see him or Dean Ashton giving the rock-solid Anfield rear-guard - they've let in just four at home - too many problems.

If you want to give the Hammers a chance, be my guest. They've got no hope here, frankly. Liverpool are, rightly, as short as [1.39] to back, with The Draw at [5.0] and [12.0] about the hosts making up the lop-sided Match Odds market for a result on which many Multiples may well be riding come eight o' clock Monday night.

Even my staple fall-back when things are this one-sided - stuff like Liverpool to be winning at Half-Time - is less than evens to back. I'm not sure about Liverpool/Liverpool in the Half-Time/Full-Time market. I'd normally migrate there too, looking for what value is around, but while the [2.02] is okay, I have a preference for Draw/Liverpool at roughly [4.7].

The Reds rarely wallop sides at home and West Ham have enough experience not to capitulate until perhaps at least the second half. I should record here that, for the host's part, Fernando Torres is out with a hamstring strain and Fabio Aurelio's calf muscle problem sees him side-lined. Robbie Keane will bear the goalscoring burden along with Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, while Italian international Andrea Dossena will deputise at left-back for Aurelio.

Torres' omission would, given less flaky opposition, give at least some cause for musing over the final outcome, but, for me, this one's cut-and-dried and is very much a matter of margin. I'm taking Kuyt to notch first, around [5.5], while also availing of the [2.3] about Gerrard scoring at any time.

It's [9.4] to back 3-0 to the Reds and that's where I suggest you apportion 75% of your Correct Score stake. I'd use the other 25% as a cover via 2-0, a [6.6] chance. That means I'm finding it hard to commit in the Over/Under 2.5 goals section. If pressed, I'd play Overs at [1.92], but my two score selections are either side of a fence which sees Unders backable at [2.04]. Quite close together - so most Betfair bettors are suffering similar indecision, I reckon. If unsure, go lower, that'd be my advice.

Zola's side won at Sunderland last time out, their first victory in eight Premier League attempts. They're fully 16 points behind Liverpool - and I think that accurately reflects the gap in quality between the two teams.

I expect that gap to grow by three more points come Monday evening.