No Happy Ending in the West Ham Soap Opera?

It has not been the intention of this sports betting website to concentrate on the trials and tribulations of West Ham United Football Club yet something keeps occurring in that part of London that makes for a good betting angle!

The Hammers have once again made the back-page headlines for reasons not favoured by their supporters. First, a disruptive takeover leading to speculation about Alan Pardew's future as manager; then, his subsequent knee-jerk sacking in the face of a couple of poor performances and the obligatory vote of confidence followed by the predictable appointment of Alan Curbishley. Finally, this week, the realisation that the team over-performed last year as witnessed at the Madejski Stadium on New Year's Day with a 6-0 spanking by Reading.

In both of our previous comments, we have mentioned the possibility of relegation despite the bookies' odds generally dismissing the idea. Incredibly, even after the Madejski mauling that left West Ham four points adrift of safety with 16 games remaining and an away record of no goals scored since August, bookmakers were quoting 12/5 on Hammers being relegated! Unsurprisingly, these layers found their stands knocked over in the rush by punters to get some of that price.

Two days later, with post mortems plastered over most national newspapers, the longest odds generally available are around 7/4 (Bet365) while the shortest are 6/5 at Blue Square.

The 7/4 looks like very decent value even now given that Curbishley stated in no uncertain terms after the Reading fiasco that he would be surprised if quality players would want to sign for the Hammers in the January transfer window with the team in the relegation zone. The players looked highly disinterested on the day although they were under attack throughout the 90 minutes at Reading and will possibly not have such a tough ride in all their games.

In the relegation scrap, many bookmakers still have Sheffield United at odds-on for the drop despite the Blades now being five points clear of West Ham and on a relatively upward curve in confidence. Charlton are also threatening a revival under Alan Pardew; if he were to keep the Addicks up at West Ham's expense, that would be the ultimate slap in the faces of the Upton Park regulars and make the Icelandic owners look very silly.

The reason for the apparent disparity in odds is of course Magnusson's money that will be available to spend this month. However, by the end of the January window, there will be at most 13 games left for the team to save its skin. It might still be too late.

Shown below are the current relegation odds for the main players (with longest and shortest odds shown for each team). Wigan are also on an alarming slide and the 4/1 on offer at VC Bet, Bet365 and Ladbrokes also looks tempting at this stage:

Watford: 1/14 (Coral); 1/33 (Various)
Charlton: 2/7 (Bet365, Paddy Power); 1/5 (Ladbrokes, Blue Square, Others)
Sheffield United: 11/10 (Ladbrokes, Blue Square); 8/13 (Totesport)
West Ham: 7/4 (Bet365, Others); 6/5 (Blue Square)
Wigan: 4/1 (VC Bet, Bet365, Ladbrokes, Others); 3/1 (Various)
Middlesbrough: 11/2 (Various); 10/3 (Betfred)
Fulham: 12/1 (VC Bet); 7/1 (Stan James)

Ed note: For value bets at football and a free £20 bet, open an account at VC Bet today!

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