Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs West Ham United

Published on: 20/01/2017

Premier League preview and odds: Middlesbrough vs West Ham United

January 21, 2016 15:00pm - Riverside Stadium

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Premier League

Premier league returnees Middlesbrough will look to break a four-game winless run when they welcome 12th-ranked West Ham United to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, a win for the visitors could see them break into the top 10 for the first time this season.

Home form could be vital in Boro`s quest for survival

A run of six home games featuring three wins, a draw and two defeats has helped to keep Middlesbrough four points clear of the relegation zone. The northeast club are unbeaten in the league in 2017 but have failed to score a single goal, having played out consecutive 0-0 draws at home to Leicester City and away to Watford.

Since the end of October, they have beaten AFC Bournemouth, Swansea City and Hull City at home, with their only defeats coming against title contenders Chelsea and Liverpool. However, their overall home form is the joint-third worst in the league.

Meanwhile, opponents West Ham United are enjoying something of a revival, having won four of their last six Premier League matches. Away from home, they were unbeaten in three before they fell 1-0 to Leicester City on New Year`s Eve.

The Hammers are currently sitting in 12th place in the table but could propel themselves back into the top 10 with a win, if other results also go their way. This position represents a major turnaround for a team that was languishing in the drop zone not so long ago. The Londoners have conceded at least one goal in all but one of their away games this season.

Team news

Daniel Ayala is suspended for the home side who will alos be without the injured pair of Gaston Ramirez (knee) and Antonio Barragan (hamstring).

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to cope without Alavaro Arbeloa (knock), Arthur Masuaku (knee), Diafra Sakho (hamstring) and Gokhan Tore (quadriceps) who are all injured, while Andre Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate are both away on African cup if Natiuons duty. To add to the Hammers` woes, Dimitri Payet is still suspended and there are doubts surrounding the fitness of Andy Carroll, Sam Byram, Winston Reid and Sofiane Feghouli.

Recent form (League):

Middlesbrough: DDLLW

West Ham United: WLLWW

Betting odds and tips

West Ham`s two away wins this term both came against teams in the bottom four, while AFC Bournemouth are the only club outside of the bottom three that Boro have beaten at home. With that in mind, a tight game with a low goal count can be expected.

You can back a Correct Score of 1-1 at 5/1, and a Correct Score of 0-0 at 13/2 - both with Bet365. At those prices, it may pay to split the stake across both bets.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 20/01/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (20/01/2017 13:58:00) but are subject to change.