West Brom v West Ham: Return to London on the cards to sort this
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With the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham already eliminated, many of the remaining Premier League sides will see this season’s FA Cup as their best chance to get their hands on that precious silverware for many years.
And with both West Brom and West Ham looking safe from any threat of relegation from the top flight, neither side is likely to give an inch in this fifth round tussle at the Hawthorns.
The visiting Hammers have already tasted victory at the West Midlands venue this season and are 19/10 to secure a double, while it is 11/8 their hosts get revenge in the cup.
However, as our three best bets show, it might be a spot of value to back this one going to a replay…
West Ham’s goalless draw against Southampton in midweek was the sixth time in their last nine games that they couldn’t be separated from their opponents after 90 minutes.
And with Tony Pulis renowned for a ‘safety first’ approach, these two could cancel each other out.
Six of the last nine meetings between the pair have finished in a stalemate, so backing a repeat in a cup tie, with both clubs desperate to avoid defeat, looks the way to go.
A late goal during the Baggies’ 2-0 victory over Swansea hinted that the England U21 international was coming back into some form.
If history tells us anything, it’s that the 21-year-old has been a thorn in the Hammers sides in recent meetings, scoring three in his four appearances against the east Londoners.
The home team have opened the scoring in five of the last six head-to-head between the pair (the other being a goalless draw), so back the Burundi-born striker to open proceedings.
We’ve already highlighted that the draw is the best outcome to back in this early kick-off, but going one step further with a correct score shout shouldn’t be dissuaded.
At 14/1, the odds imply this scoreline has just over a six per cent chance of landing, a vast underestimation based on this seasons exploits.
Of the 31 matches that have involved either West Brom at home or West Ham away this campaign, five (16.21 per cent) have finished 2-2.
With a 16 per cent probability translating as between a 5/1 and 11/2 shot, the value has to be here.
All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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