Hammers Need Win Against Relegation Threatened Hull

Sunday`s early afternoon kick-off (13:30) could see West Ham United make further strides towards the Europa League position should they be able to put relegation threatened Hull City to the sword. An away point for the Tigers, who sit in 18th position in the table before Saturday`s encounters, would see the side exit the relegation zone. The Hammers fine start to the season has stalled somewhat with the East London team failing to pick up a win in their last four Premier League matches. They even had to play an FA Cup replay against Everton in the mid-week with that being decided by the lottery of the penalty shoot-out. Sam Allardyce`s men picked up the win, 9-8.

West Ham`s last league win came at home to bottom club Leicester City, the Upton Park side running out the 2-0 winners. England internationals Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing grabbed a goal in either half to secure the comfortable victory.

This game was followed by two difficult clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal. The former was lost 2-0 whilst Cheikhou Kouyate`s goal was a mere consolation against the Gunners as Arsene Wenger`s men took the lead through a Santi Cazorla penalty and doubled up through Danny Welbeck minutes from the half time whistle.

These results were followed up by twin 1-1 draws, the first at home against West Bromwich Albion, the second away at Swansea`s Liberty City Stadium.

Diafra Sakho opened the scoring just ten minutes into their New Year`s Day clash against Tony Pulis` West Brom but couldn`t hold on as the baggies equalised three minutes from half time through Saido Berahino.

Again, Carroll opened the scoring for the Boleyn Ground outfit in the first half but succumbed to the pressure of the home team as Mark noble put the ball into the back of his own net.

James Collins scored the only goal in the side`s 1-1 draw against Everton in the first leg of their FA Cup tie with both Enner Valencia and Joe Cole scoring in the 2-2 draw in their replay.

Having opened the scoring in all of their January games, the Hammers are 8/13 with betfair to break the deadlock but can also be backed at 18/1 (betfred, Betvictor) to once again be leading at half time but see out the match as a draw. Last time the two sides met in the Premier League back in September, the game was tied 2-2 at the final whilst though it was Hull who had taken the first half lead. Abel Hernandez opened the scoring for Steve Bruce`s side before Enner Valencia levelled up before half time. City took the lead again through Mohamed Diame but United came from behind for a second time through West Brom scorer Sakho.

It is 11/4 (bet365, boylesports, ladbrokes) if you think the reverse fixture will end as a tie once again. West Ham are the 4/5 favourites for tomorrow`s clash with a number of bookmakers whilst Hull can be picked up at 9/2 (Numerous).

The North East club have only won twice on the road this campaign, the first of these victories coming against QPR back in August, whilst they also recorded an emphatic 3-1 win against Sunderland on Boxing Day.

James Chester scored the only goal of the game in the second half against Rangers whilst he also grabbed the second against the Black Cats. Gaston Ramirez equalised for his team after Sunderland`s Adam Johnson scored within the first minutes and Nikita Jelavic grabbed the final goal within the 90th.

Something of a good luck omen on the road, Chester can be backed at 16/1 (32red, 888sport).

Steve Bruce will be without high-scoring forwards Hernandez and Jelavic through injuries picked up in their West Brom encounter.

Winston Reid and Guy Demel could be back for the Hammers after overcoming their own afflictions.

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17/01/2015     © Frixo 2026