West Ham v West Brom Tip

The first game on Saturday suddenly looks like a massive six-pointer with Sam Allardyce admitting the fixture is becoming a ‘must win’ for West Ham. The Londoners slipped to second bottom on Boxing Day after a loss to Arsenal was compounded by victories for Palace, Fulham and Sunderland.

Those results also pushed managerless West Brom to within one point of the drop zone, although Baggies fans will have been left more satisfied by the post-Christmas results. The 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane was hard fought and well earned, as caretaker boss Keith Downing continues to steady the ship.

The west Midlanders also came from behind to share the spoils with Hull in their last game at the Hawthorns. On that occasion, the 86th minute leveller from Matej Vydra was a cause of relief, but both fixtures suggest, in different ways, that spirit remains in the camp.

It’s hard to back the Hammers at best odds of 11/8 (BetVictor) after a run of one league win in 11. Similarly, the Baggies are winless in eight. Instead, the draw looks far more likely at 12/5 (Betfred). WBA are now the division’s draw specialists (8 of 18 matches) with the majority coming on their travels.