A goalless draw at Anfield last Sunday will afford West Ham a degree of confidence heading into their upcoming pair of fixtures. After a dire winter period, Sam Allardyce has steadied the ship and with seven points taken from the last four league matches, has all but secured top-flight survival ahead of back-to-back clashes with Southampton and United:
The Prospects
There’s no denying the Hammers face a tough time over the double. In the first few months of the season, a trip to Southampton would have held considerable appeal but the Saints have picked up in performance and since the installation of Mauricio Pochettino as manager, have already beaten City, Liverpool and Chelsea at St Mary’s. Southampton have scored at least twice in three of their last four at home, though with clean sheets in two of their last three road trips, West Ham will be hopeful of further defensive returns. Going forward, though, Allardyce’s side have been abysmal on their travels – a mere away nine goals scored all season, with blanks in eight of their 16 fixtures, they have scored more than once on a single occasion. Given that Southampton have conceded just twice in their last four Gameweeks, the visitors have a tricky task on their hands.
Allardyce’s side then entertain United at Upton Park the following Wednesday. While the Hammers have struggled to find the net on the road, they’ll be buoyed by the fact they have scored in all but one of their 15 home fixtures thus far and have tasted defeat just four times in front of their own supporters. With six clean sheets in seven, though, United will offer a stubborn resistance and will be hoping to improve a record which has seen them score just once in each of their last three – bearing in mind the Hammers have just one home clean sheet since Gameweek 10, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have reason for optimism, then.
The Likely Lads
Up to third in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) goalkeeper standings, Jussi Jaaskelainen’s save points have been crucial to his season. The 5.1 priced Fin has supplemented his nine clean sheets with 130 saves – more than any other keeper – and is subsequently the Hammers’ top scoring FPL player thus far, 14 points ahead of Kevin Nolan.
Two goals and three assist highlight the attacking potential ofJoey O’Brien. The full-back has also chipped in with 10 bonus points and, while he’s more expensive than Guy Demel (4.6 to 4.0) offers the best prospect of points at both ends of the pitch.
The exploits that harvested five goals in the first 11 Gameweeks have long since evaporated but Kevin Nolan cannot be dismissed from our thinking. Having returned from a recent foot problem, his presence will be crucial to the Hammers’ midfield and with Mark Noble missing out again due to a shoulder problem, his offensive threat is needed more than ever as Allardyce looks to hit the magic 40 point mark.
Ineligible for last weekend’s trip to parent club Liverpool, Andy Carroll will be hoping to continue a series of crucial home performances which have racked up the returns in recent games. The 8.2 priced on-loan forward has scored in each of his last three at Upton Park; over those matches, he has notched four of his side’s six goals and has also earned six bonus points. Carroll will also be on spot-kicks in Noble’s absence, as shown by the Gameweek 27 home game against Spurs.
Cheeky Punt
Looking at his recent Fantasy returns, Matt Jarvis has hardly made the most persuasive case for our double Gameweek consideration. Although he’s failed to produce since Gameweek 16, the former Wolves man has, nevertheless, provided a potent source of creativity of late which his team mates have yet to take advantage of – his stats in the members section for the last four attest to that. Fielded on the left of the front three, his delivery from the flank has definite potential and priced at 5.5 with a 0.3% ownership, he’s a differential punt worth mulling over.
