West Ham v Middlesbrough: Hammers to revive promotion bid
Published:West Ham’s bid for automatic promotion has stalled of late, but they can end their recent inconsistent Championship form by beating Middlesbrough at 4/5.
Their visitors Middlesbrough have lost their last two games without finding the net, and are therefore lengthy at 7/2 to win at Upton Park.
Meanwhile, the draw is available at 5/2, and some punters may be interested in those odds considering that West Ham have drawn their last three Championship fixtures.
The Hammers were assertive in recording a 2-0 victory over ‘Boro at the Riverside Stadium earlier in the season, and the 8/1 odds about them triumphing by the same scoreline here looks an attractive price.
Only four sides have scored more than Allardyce’s men though, and so it could pay dividends to back a 3-0 scoreline at a longer 12/1.
Also, given Middlesbrough’s recent woes in front of goal, it makes sense to back the home side to win with 2 or fewer goals in the match at 10/3, and also to win with three or more goals going in at 9/5.
Half markets could be worth paying attention to in this match too, and as West Ham have been ahead in half of their eighteen Upton Park games by the break, the 8/5 odds on them leading at half-time and full-time here look generous.
It is 7/2 that the teams go into the break level with West Ham eventually coming out on top, and bearing in mind that the Hammers have yet to go into half-time behind this season, this price could also be worth investing in.
Frederic Piquionne and Carlton Cole got West Ham’s goals in the reverse fixture earlier this term, and with the former out on loan, Cole is 9/2 favourite to notch first on Tuesday.
His captain Kevin Nolan is good value at 5/1 for the opener however, whilst Mark Noble is reliable from the penalty spot, and can be backed at 9/1 to break the deadlock.
