West Ham too well-priced in Capital One Cup clash with Tottenham

Their 14-year wait for a win at White Hart Lane ended in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 triumph in October and West Ham are surely too big a price at 11/2 to rule out serving up a repeat dose in the Capital One Cup.

The Lilywhites are currently in crisis on a number of levels, with Andre Villas-Boas replaced by untried coach Tim Sherwood after the 5-0 Premier League humbling at home to Liverpool.

Spurs’ problems getting players on the pitch – which was illustrated by the presence of midfielder Etienne Capoue in the centre of defence against the Reds – have worsened, with Sandro, Paulinho and Michael Dawson all unavailable for this clash through injury or suspension.

Villas-Boas’ final comments to the press as Tottenham boss acknowledged the ‘expressive results’ against Manchester City and Liverpool that ultimately cost him his job, but the north Londoners malaise arguably started weeks before against Sam Allardyce’s side.

A stronger Tottenham team than the one set to start this match managed just four shots on target and conceded three times against a West Ham side without a recognised striker in the team.

Considering they have only won one of their five home games outside of their desperately poor Europa League Group K since, Sherwood’s men cannot be backed with any confidence at odds of 1/2 to turn things around against the Irons.

Tipping a West Ham first goalscorer this season has become more of an art than a science as only one of their recognised centre forwards has been amongst the goals and Carlton Cole’s lonely strike against Fulham is hardly form to stake your life on.

However, there is a player available to Allardyce who’s not only scored in both of his Capital One Cup starts this season but also terrorised Tottenham less than three months ago and grabbed a stunning solo goal in front of the Lilywhite faithful.

Ravel Morrison has notched five in all competitions this season, which makes him the closest thing West Ham have to a prolific marksman and the 20-year-old can weave his way through Spurs’ defence again to grab the opener here at 10/1 odds.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date

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