West Ham can shut out the Bluebirds and seal Wembley trip
With the Hammers extremely hard to beat at home, Cardiff will find it difficult to get the win they need to progress to the Championship play-off final.
The general consensus from journalists and fans alike is that West Ham find themselves in the Championship play-offs due to the number of home matches that they drew over the course of the season.
If one of the eight stalemates at Upton Park had finished in a home victory, the Hammers would almost certainly be basking in the glory of automatic promotion at the first attempt, instead of engaged in arguably the most high-pressure set of matches in English football.
The good news for the Londoners is that given their excellent 2-0 victory in Wales last week where they out played and out fought Cardiff, a draw on Monday night, available at 14/5, would be enough to see them into the play-off final at Wembley.
The win which would seal West Ham’s progression in style is offered at 18/25, while Cardiff are priced at 4/1.
| Primera Division | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia | 2-0 | Granada | £130.00 | (11/2) |
| Valencia | 2-1 | Granada | £155.00 | (27/4) |
| Valencia | 3-0 | Granada | £160.00 | (7/1) |
| Valencia win | £25.00 | (1/4) | ||
| Draw | £105.00 | (17/4) | ||
| Granada win | £250.00 | (23/2) | ||
There have been rumblings of discontent from sections of the crowd at Upton Park, some more vocal than others, at the less than aesthetically pleasing nature of some of the Hammers’ play this season.
While Cardiff finished sixth in the Championship table, nine teams managed to score more goals on their travels than the Bluebirds and the side from Wales will have to score at least twice to progress.
Adjectives such as ‘direct’ and ‘physical’ have followed manager Sam Allardyce around during his career and his more basic style of play has led some supporters to question his suitability for the role at Upton Park given West Ham’s tradition as an attractive side to watch.
Yet in their last four home games, West Ham have scored 13 goals, showing flashes of attacking brilliance.
Having lost only once in their last 13 matches, the Hammers are massive favourites to defend their 2-0 lead from the first leg.
While Cardiff finished sixth in the Championship table, nine teams managed to score more goals on their travels than the Bluebirds and the side from Wales will have to score at least twice to progress.
The 27/20 offered for Cardiff to fail to score looks extremely attractive, as does the price of 19/20 for both teams not to score. Also well worth consideration is backing West Ham to win without conceding (as they did in the first leg), which is on offer at the generous-looking price of 33/20.
Recommended bet: Cardiff to fail to score @ 27/20
Outside punt: West Ham to win and keep a clean sheet @ 7/4
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