West Ham v Man United: Champions elect set to dominate

With West Ham’s survival and Manchester United’s 20th top-flight title all but secured, it could be argued that there is little to play for when the sides meet at Upton Park.

But given the ruthless nature of Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, it still looks wise to back them in match betting markets at 4/6 here.

United have won nine of the past 11 meetings between the teams in all competitions, keeping clean sheets during seven of those victories too.

And as the Red Devils have also won seven of their past eight league matches without being breached, they make massive appeal to win to nil at 15/8.

7/5 is available regarding Ferguson’s men simply keeping a clean sheet, but with United winning every match in which they have held firm this season, it makes more sense to invest in the former bet.

But whilst the Hammers, in possession of the Premier League’s joint fourth-worst attack, could struggle to break down United, that doesn’t necessarily mean a low-scoring affair is in prospect.

Eight of the past 12 meetings between this pair have in fact reaped in excess of 2.5 goals, so backing a Red Devils triumph in which at least 2.5 strikes are registered could prove a shrewd move at 29/20.

With United notching three-goal hauls on eight occasions this term though, and five of those instances coming away from Old Trafford, it may also prove profitable to study total goals markets.

11/10 is the price that the Red Devils score two or three times in the match, and such a bet would have paid off in more than half of their 32 league games over the course of the campaign.

Alternatively, United can be backed at 4/1 to lead 3-0 at any point in the match, whilst it is a big 11/1 that they prevail via that scoreline at full-time.

And Robin Van Persie could play a big part in United achieving a dominant success at Upton Park, after ending his goal drought from the penalty spot in his last outing away to Stoke.

The 20-goal hitman has already notched twice in two appearances against West Ham this term, and is 7/2 to break the deadlock, and 11/10 to find the net at any time in an away win.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.