Backing Everton and West Ham in midweek both proved profitable and the in-form pair now meet at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Toffees continued their recent resurgence with a 3-1 win over beleaguered Aston Villa on Tuesday night but it was the Hammers beating of the Premier League title favourites, Tottenham, 24 hours later that caught the eye.
West Ham’s 1-0 triumph over their London rivals dented Spurs’ championship ambitions but the result came as no surprise to me and a top four finish is certainly not out of the question for Slaven Bilic and his players.
Just a point behind the two Manchester clubs, City currently occupy fourth place on virtue of a better goal difference than United, West Ham’s excellent season has been based on terrific consistency and it is now just four defeats in 30 matches in all competitions.
That is a tremendous run of results against England’s finest and Hammers’ fans will still have extremely fond memories of a hat-trick of away wins to start the campaign in style.
Victories at Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal, all before the end of September, were remarkable and they should have nothing to fear on their return to Merseyside.
West Ham simply continue to be underestimated by the odds compilers and why Everton are no bigger than 8/11 to make it six wins in seven outings I am not sure.
Roberto Martinez has certainly seen his side improve in recent weeks but Everton have still won just four times in 14 matches in the top flight in front of their adoring faithful and it doesn’t take much convincing to oppose them at the prices.
West Ham are eight points clear of their upcoming hosts in the standings and no side has conceded more goals on home soil in the entire division than Everton.
Twenty-three goals have been shipped at Goodison Park and, with West Ham’s excellent defence, the away team are fancied to leave with at least a point in the likely event that trend continues.
3pts Lay Everton (vs. West Ham) @ 1.75 (Betfair)