Leicester v West Ham Tip

A lot of money is going on West Ham to win on Monday night (7/5 StanJames) and keep their automatic promotion hopes alive till the final day, but I’m unconvinced. There may be a feeling that Southampton re-opened the door by losing at Boro on Saturday, but it only opened a crack and Leicester have the opportunity to slam it shut once and for all.

Five points back with an inferior goal difference, Sam Allardyce knows that he needs a footballing miracle to secure second spot. Southampton entertain relegated Coventry next Saturday and a point will surely be enough even if the Hammers see off the Foxes and then Hull City.

The truth is that West Ham have repeatedly failed to take countless opportunities to stay in contention. They may finally have ended a disastrous run of seven winless games at Upton Park, but they had to follow that with victory at Bristol City last time out; instead they drew 1-1.

Leicester have had a disappointing campaign after beginning 2011-12 as favourites alongside tonight’s visitors. On the face of it they have little to play for now, but they will surely relish the opportunity to dent the hopes of another one of the Championship big guns.

Nigel Pearson hasn’t allowed the season to peter out, particularly at the King Power Stadium, where the hosts are unbeaten in eight matches. They have excelled on their own patch against the sides above them in the table, winning six of eight.

I make a draw the value bet of choice here at best odds of 11/4 with BetVictor. West Ham haven’t lost in seven away outings and will be very determined. But two dropped points have so frequently been the order of the day when they needed more; that’s why the play-offs beckon at Upton Park.