Burnley vs West Ham United
Premier League: Burnley vs West Ham rarely fails to entertain and that’s the fixture we have on offer on Monday night (UK time) to round off another great weekend of football.
Both of the two Claret and Blue teams come into the game in good spirits, the hosts on the back of a thumping victory over Wolves and the visitors towards the end of an exceptional season, which has seen David Moyes’ side challenge for Champions League football.
The Hammers’ dream is still on, but back-to-back defeats have threatened to burst the bubble and they could be down to seventh place when they cross the white line on Monday night. And they come up against a Burnley side which is notoriously hard to beat at home, defending like tigers and striking like a cobra!
Sean Dyche will have his team prepared and focused; they started the weekend in 14th place, nine points clear of the drop zone, and will want to confirm their place in next year’s top flight and climb as high up the table as they can.
Talking Points
Wood and Vydra are on a hot streak of form
Burnley have always had a strong defensive unit but in recent weeks the have started to play more expansive football, a change which has coincided with the arrival of striker Matej Vydra in the team. The Czech forward has quick feet, genuine pace and a fine finish but, while he has netted three goals, his striker partner Chris Wood has been the main beneficiary, taking his tally to ten for the season.
Wood became only the third player in Premier League history to score a first half hat-trick before half time as the Clarets blew Wolves away in a 4-0 victory last week. And while they have won two and lost three of the previous five, Dyche’s team have posted an average of 14 shots a game and were unlucky to lose to Southampton and Manchester United in particular.
Under Dyche Burnley have often relied on successful pairings all around the pitch; Ben Mee and James Tarkowski are one of the best centre back partnerships in the league and both like to get forward at set-pieces. Tarkowski was on target in Burnley’s recent defeat to Manchester United and he will make his way forward every time the hosts get a corner.
The return to the midfield of Jack Cork, alongside Ashley Westwood, has give the Clarets more control of the middle, while young winger Dwight McNeil, who has six assists, links up well with the fit again wing-back Charlie Taylor.
Hammers’ Champions League hopes are fading
A year ago David Moyes’ side was 16th in the table with 31 points and in the thick of a relegation scrap, but this term they are up in fifth place with 55 points in the bag.
Two defeats on the bounce, one to Chelsea, and before that a surprise loss to Newcastle, have seen the Hammers drift out of the top four and now they need points to ensure they qualify for the Europa League at least. While Burnley have some handy partnerships in their team, the Hammers have a really eye-catching pair which, on its day, can take apart any defence in the league.
Here at SBOTOP we picked both Jesse Lingard and Tomas Soucek in our list of the five best Premier League signings; they have nine goals each and when combined they represent a real threat. Wide man Jarrod Bowen has eight goals too and has really looked the part in his second season at the London Stadium. But Moyes may well be without the influential duo, Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice.
There’s better news at the back for the Hammers where Craig Dawson returns from suspension and Fabian Balbuena is available after his unlucky red card against Chelsea was rescinded.
History
The London side has had the better of the last 21 Burnley vs West Ham results, winning 11 to Burnley’s six and there have been four draws.
West Ham won 1-0 when the two teams met in January but Burnley won the previous three meetings and four of the last six.
Recent form is similar; both teams have won two drawn one and lost three of the last six games, but Burnley have struggled to turn draws into wins at Turf Moor. In normal times their home ground is a fortress but without fans the Clarets have gone eight games at home without winning, though they have lost just three of the last 12, and are unbeaten in three at home to the Hammers.
Betting Tip
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Burnley vs West Ham United | Burnley Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.29 |
| May 4, 03:15 (GMT+8) |
The Burnley vs West Ham betting odds tell us just how open this game is. The Burnley Clarets are at 3.16 to win with the draw at 3.25, and West Ham are at odds of 2.12.
The most likely result is 1-1 at odds of 5.60, and a draw looks a likely option; but with momentum on their side and a full squad to pick from, Burnley might just have the edge.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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