Weekend Betting Preview: SunSport's Top Picks for an Exciting Premier League Showdown!

WHAT have Lee Bowyer, Michael Carrick, Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole, Tomas Repka and Jermaine Defoe all got in common?

Answer, they were part of the West Ham side that was “too good to go down” but still did.

And that class of 2002-03 went even though they amassed what remains a record-points tally of 42 for a side relegated from the Premier League.

No one is saying “too good” this time round – and Nuno Espirito Santo’s outfit remain 4-9 on for the drop despite a post-Christmas revival in recent weeks.

The six points the Hammers collected for winning at Spurs and impressively brushing aside Sunderland 3-1 last weekend represents almost a third of their total for the whole season.

But ahead of tonight’s trip to Chelsea they are just five points behind fourth-bottom Forest, and can take heart from the distress signals FA Cup holders Crystal Palace are giving off.

BetGoodwin’s Andy Wright is not writing off the East Enders yet either. He said: “Yes, we’ve got West Ham at 4-9 to go down, alongside almost-certainties Wolves and Burnley.

“But we fancy Palace as outsiders for relegation. With the vultures circling around the Eagles, there’s a feeling their FA Cup-winning team is being plucked apart.

“Tonight at the Bridge, we can see it being a high-scoring affair – and over 2.5 goals and star boy Estevao to score anytime looks a runner at 2-1.”

This Chelsea, of course, is under new management and it has to be said the untested Liam Rosenior has got off to a flyer.

His six games in charge have produced five wins and a Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal.

Wednesday night’s Champions League victory at Napoli was the best of the lot, as the former Strasbourg manager masterminded a 3-2 triumph after his side had been 2-1 behind to the Italian champions.

Coral’s John Hill has been impressed: He said: “It’s been an excellent start for Rosenior. We make Chelsea 7-4 for a top-four finish, 16-1 to turn it around against Arsenal and win the Carabao Cup and 16-1 to win the Champions League.

“While I fancy Chelsea to finish in the top four, I think there’s some value in the draw tonight at 7-2. Chelsea have just had a tough trip to Naples and West Ham will be full of confidence.”

Confidence may not be enough, though, against an 8-15 Chelsea side who’ve won the last four of these Prem contests by an aggregate of 15-2.

The 5-1 Hammers have kept one clean sheet all season, so it’s hard to see No 2 being tonight. Goals then on the agenda, and with little attraction in the 15-8 on Chelsea win and BTTS, I’ll be looking at 3-1 Blues at 11-1 with bet365.

With Jarrod Bowen in their ranks, West Ham can always score – and it’s a best-priced 16-5 with Coral there’s a Bowen arrow at any time

Dark Horse

13-2: Chelsea have beaten West Ham in all four of their last Prem clashes.

And there have been 21 goals in the last five games between these two.

Over 3.5 goals, Pedro Neto to score anytime, and Chelsea to win (-1 Handicap) is a 13-2 shot with William Hill.

TV Previews

Liverpool v Newcastle

NEWCASTLE haven’t won at Anfield in the Premier League in 29 attempts.

Now may just be the time. Coming off an impressive 1-1 draw at European champions PSG in midweek, where they could have won, the Toon are a best-priced 33-10 with MGM.

Hosts Liverpool had drawn four straight in the Prem before losing at Bournemouth last weekend and look vulnerable.

Yoane Wissa is the anytime scorer pick at 13-5 with Coral.

FORECAST: 1-2

Villa v Brentford

DESPITE a 4-1 defeat at leaders Arsenal and losing at home to Everton in recent weeks, third-placed Villa remain live title contenders.

They do so thanks to a fine 2-0 win at Newcastle’s St James’ fortress last weekend.

But tomorrow’s visitors Brentford are eighth and dangerous, especially on the break.

Villa, though, just get the nod at even money, as does Emiliano Buendia to score anytime at 3-1 with Paddy Power.

FORECAST: 2-1

Tottenham v Man City

WHO killed JFK? How did they build Stonehenge? Two of life’s great mysteries.

Then there’s how did Spurs finish fourth in the Champions League table?

After winning just twice at home in the Prem all season, they are a not-so-mysterious 4-1 to beat Man City at the Lane tomorrow.

City, bolstered by the arrivals of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, may yet close the gap on leaders Arsenal and can start here.

Tijjani Reijnders is the anytime scorer selection at 7-2 with BetVictor.

FORECAST: 1-3

Top Tips

Pro bet

Forest to beat Palace, Watford to beat Swansea, Bradford to beat Doncaster, Accrington to beat Cheltenham, Swindon to beat Barrow. Acca pays 34-1 with Betfred.

Retirement bet

Leeds to beat Arsenal, Everton to win at Brighton, Norwich to win at Middlesbrough, Hull to win at Blackburn, Oxford to beat Birmingham, Peterborough to beat Huddersfield, Northampton to beat Reading, Shrewsbury to beat Barnet.

Perm 1 x Acca, 8 x 7-folds, 28 x 6-folds. Acca pays 53,618-1 with Betfred.

Away day

Coventry to win at QPR, Bolton at Wimbledon, Cardiff at Burton, Lincoln at Wigan. Acca pays 16-1 with Coral.

Top draw

Wolves v Bournemouth, Millwall v Sheff United, Portsmouth v West Brom, Barnsley v Stevenage. Acca pays 128-1 with Coral.

TV special

Chelsea to beat West Ham, Newcastle to win at Liverpool, Villa to beat Brentford, Man City to win at Tottenham. Acca pays 20-1 with MGM.

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