The in-play guide to Chelsea vs West Ham
Chelsea's attempt at a late title challenge continues with a home derby against West Ham on Saturday teatime. We've looked at three trends that will hopefully help you make money as the action unfolds...
West Ham can't afford to concede first
Avram Grant's side have shipped the opening goal in 18 of their Premier League matches this season and on 12 of those occasions they have fallen to defeat, only fighting back to win one, away to Fulham. They will struggle to score as it is having netted on just one of their eight trips to face top-half teams (compared to seven of their eight against the bottom half), so if they fall behind, you can pile in on Chelsea - who have won 15 of the 17 matches they have fired first in - with confidence.
The first half hour is crucial
The three clashes between Chelsea and West Ham over the last four seasons to have featured goals in the first half hour have all gone on to contain over 2.5 goals, while the four that haven't have all provided two or fewer. That suggests a clear trend for identifying in play how lively the game is likely to be, but if you intend to bet heavily on over 2.5 after an early opener, make sure that you are quick because in each of the three examples above, strike number two has come within 15 minutes.
A half-time draw favours Chelsea
Don't be fooled into thinking that if West Ham hold out until half time, it will be an opportune time to back them to cause an upset, because they have been level at the interval on 13 occasions this term - the latest being against Aston Villa last week - and have gone on to triumph only once, losing five times. By contrast, Chelsea have the second best points average in the division in fixtures that have been in the balance at the break, winning six and drawing five of their 13 half-time stalemates.
Click here for a pre-match punt, or to suss out how the markets are shaping up...
Published: 21 Apr 2011
Sir Cecil (April 21, 2011 8:01 PM) said:
The most pertinent advice you should offer to punters is to simply remind them that West Ham is a rubbish team.