West Ham v Wigan: Expect Hammers to do their scoring in second half

Wigan have certainly improved defensively of late, conceding no more than one in any of their last six games in all competitions and keeping clean sheets in four of the last eight.

This suggests that the 7/10 available on West Ham scoring either no goals or just the one against Wigan could prove a worthwhile bet, even if the price is nothing spectacular.

However, those wanting to make a bit more profit may be persuaded to take the 29/20 that the Hammers are the most productive in front of goal in the second half.

After all, in the last seven fixtures in which Wigan have conceded, on six of these occasions they have let in most after the half-time break.

This exact bet would have also landed in Wigan’s trips to Sunderland and QPR this season, two other clubs stationed in the bottom half of the table at present.

Given that only Man City have prevented West Ham scoring at Upton Park this season, it is basically being predicted that the Hammers will only score once against Wigan and that the goal will arrive in the second half. The only part of the story left is uncovering who will go down as the scorer.

Kevin Nolan has been off the boil in front of goal since mid-November, with a consolation goal against Fulham his only Premier League strike in his last 19 fixtures.

But he has made a habit of scoring against lower-half opposition this season, with goals to his name against Aston Villa, Sunderland and Southampton at Upton Park, alongside away at Newcastle.

Nolan is 7/1 to open the scoring and 9/4 to be on target within the 90 minutes.

In terms of picking a winner, West Ham are favourites at 6/5, with the draw at 12/5 and the away win at 11/5. With Wigan finding their customary late-season legs in recent weeks and the Hammers yet to go five games unbeaten this season in the top-flight, the Latics could well pinch this.

A 2-1 away win has the most appeal at 10/1.

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