After an inconsistent start to the season, the Hammers looked as if they could dominate the division but have lost three of their last five games and, with a number of key players out injured, are starting to struggle.

This includes Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Derby but boss Allardyce has been handed a major boost with Jack Collison, George McCartney, Julien Faubert and captain Kevin Nolan all returning from suspension.

Of this quartet the midfield combination of Nolan and Collison could be vital if the East London side are going to get back on track. Nolan is the true talisman of the team and has a habit of scoring important goals (Nolan 11/8 to score at anytime).

Collison on the other hand is arguably West Ham’s most creative influence and is sorely missed when absent. Many of the club’s supporters believe they could have stayed in the Premier League last season if he hadn’t got injured early in the campaign.

The pair are more than likely to go straight back into the side and look out for them to make a major impact at Upton Park.

Coventry have been the league’s strugglers this season and are certainly a club in trouble both on and off the pitch. They have spent most of the season propping up the table but have had a resurgence of late, winning their last two games against Brighton and Bristol City, and will be hoping to continue their fine run when they face their inconsistent opponents.

Their key man is certainly striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, who has been a rare shining light in their poor season. The 22-year-old was tipped for greatness when he moved to Everton as a teenager but never made his mark at Goodison and often found himself farmed out on loan.

However, he now appears to have found his feet and has scored a number of vital goals this season. His form has attracted the interest of a number of the division’s top sides and he has been tipped for a possible move in the recently-opened transfer window. Despite the speculation, he will be looking to make an impact in the match and look out for him to get on the scoresheet (Jutkiewicz 9/4 to score at anytime).

Despite Jutkiewicz’s fine form, its hard to look past the Hammers, especially at home. With their star names returning they will have added impetus going forward and will be looking to get their season back on track with a comfortable victory (West Ham 5/1 to win 2-0).

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Saturday

Derby County v West Ham United

The doom and gloom of last season’s relegation now looks to be a thing of the past as the Hammers are sitting pretty in second place in the Championship table with an excellent chance of returning to the top flight at the first attempt.

A win at Pride Park will mean they will probably begin 2012 in the second automatic promotion spot behind Southampton and with it all to play for over the second half of the campaign.

But Sam Allardyce’s men have not been at their best over the past five games with two wins, one draw and two defeats and so Derby can use that as motivation.

They have been good on their travels, however, with seven wins away from Upton Park already and will look to turn over a Derby side who are stuck right in the middle of the chasing pack in 14th spot with 31 points.

The league is so congested that just six points separate sixth from 16th and so any of the sides, Derby included, could make a run for the play-offs next year.

Nigel Clough’s side have also taken seven points from a possible 15 but have won their last two at home and the hard-fought 1-0 victory over Leeds last time out proves that they can mix it with the top teams on their day.

Allardyce is a canny manager and will probably see this as tough encounter and it would be no surprise to see the sides share the points on Saturday.

Odds: Derby 11/4, West Ham Evens, draw 12/5

Middlesbrough v Peterborough

Whatever happens against Posh, Boro will be in the top three at the turn of the year and that is an amazing feat considering how many points they have thrown away at home, with late goals haunting them all season.

Tony Mowbray’s charges have won only five games at the Riverside, with six draws, and it is their away form that has kept them flying high with seven wins on the road this term.

But they face Darren Ferguson’s charges on Teesside in this one and will want to make it three straight victories on their own patch after beating both Brighton and Hull 1-0.

The Boro have won their last four and the confidence and crowds appear to be returning to the former top-flight side and they should be able to take care of a Peterborough side who have already lost six times away from home this term.

The sides drew 1-1 at London Road back in November and, after losing a couple of close ones, last season’s League One play-off winners have taken seven out of nine points and will be looking to make it three successive wins on Saturday.

Fergie’s men do score goals away from home but Boro have conceded just nine at home in the first half of the campaign and so it looks set to be a tight encounter, with a narrow home victory the verdict.

Odds: Middlesbrough 4/6, Peterborough 4/1, draw 11/4

Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City

Cardiff have suffered more than their fair share of play-off heartache in recent seasons but continue to challenge at the right end of the table as they head into the weekend’s clash at the City Ground.

The Bluebirds’ long-suffering fans look set for another roller-coaster ride up to and into the play-offs and they will want to take something from their final encounter of the year to set them up for next year’s promotion push.

Recent form has been mixed and they have failed to win any of the past three matches, but 1-0 victories over Birmingham and Forest just a few weeks ago have kept them in the top four.

Malky Mackay’s men are the draw specialists away from home with seven already but they will have three points on their mind when they face a Forest outfit devoid of confidence and staring up at the majority of the Championship sides.

The East Midlanders have not won in six attempts and have taken just one point from a possible 18 since beating Ipswich 3-2 on November 19 and are currently 22nd out of the 24 teams in the standings.

Steve Cotterill’s men have lost their last three home games and have never really recovered from the 4-0 thumping they received at the hands of Leeds United.

Cardiff may have only won three times away from home but they are tipped to add to that tally this weekend.

Odds: Forest 7/4, Cardiff 8/5, draw 11/5

Burnley v Hull

Hull are one of the form teams in the division with four successive wins before coming unstuck late on at Middlesbrough last time out.

They have garnered 39 points from their first 23 games and sit comfortably in the play-off zone as 2012 approaches.

It has been case of all or nothing for Nick Barmby’s side this season with 12 wins, eight defeats and only three draws to date – all away from home.

So the likelihood is that they will head over the Pennines in search of all three points to keep up their momentum and they will face a Burnley side who have not enjoyed the best of times at Turf Moor this season.

The home fans have witnessed just four wins, with five defeats, and it is the six wins on their travels that has kept Eddie Howe’s men in the top half of the table.

Scoring goals at home has not been a problem for the Clarets with 21 strikes already but they have let in 15 and that is something Barmby will have taken note of ahead of the match.

Hull do not score many away from their own patch and so this one has all the makings of a draw.

Odds: Burnley 11/8, Hull 9/4, draw 23/10

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

West Ham v Derby (5.20pm)

The televised game sees second-placed West Ham up against a Derby side that has slipped down the Championship table, following a disappointing run of form since the early October international break.

Sam Allardyce’s men are enjoying a good spell of late and will aim to make it three successive wins against the Rams, having already made their best start to a league campaign for 17 years. Allardyce should have Carlton Cole, Matt Taylor and Joey O?Brien available for the game at Upton Park, while Guy Demel is also fit and in contention for the Hammers.

Nigel Clough’s Derby are looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat, as they have managed just one win in nine matches since the end of September, which has seen them plummet from second position to 11th in the table – 10 points behind the Hammers.

The Rams’ injury problems have not helped their cause, with strikers Theo Robinson, Nathan Tyson and Steven Davies all absent. However, Tamas Priskin is set to make his debut having joined on loan from Ipswich.

The Hammers’ have only lost once to Derby in 15 league meetings over the last 13 years and it looks highly unlikely that the visitors will improve on that statistic this weekend.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 2/5

Value Bet: West Ham 3-1 Correct Score @ 10/1

Hull v Burnley (3pm)

This KC Stadium encounter has got a home banker stamped all over it, as Nicky Barmby will take charge of his first home match since taking over as caretaker boss.

The sixth-placed Tigers will look to follow up last weekend’s win at Derby with a fourth victory in six matches, to keep pressure on the teams above them in the play-off places in what has been a decent run of late.

Barmby will be without the likes of suspended Aaron McLean and injured quartet Martyn Waghorn, Martin Pusic, Seyi Olofinjana and Richard Garcia, but Andy Dawson is due back for his first game since September.

The Clarets cross the Pennines in a desperate run of form with the pressure starting to mount on boss Eddie Howe. Four successive defeats have left Burnley just one place and two points outside of the relegation places, while they have only scored one goal in those matches.

However, while you have got to look at the home win market, Burnley do have the omens on their side as they have won their last four encounters against Hull, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Prediction: Home Win 90 Minutes @ 10/11

Value Bet: Fryatt 1st goal / Hull 1-0 Scorecast @ 22/1

Portsmouth v Leicester (3pm)

It’s the clash of the two new boys at Fratton Park on Saturday, as Michael Appleton will take charge of his first home game in charge of Pompey and Nigel Pearson will preside over his first away game since his recent return to the King Power Stadium.

The two managers had very different first games in charge as Appleton watched his side lose 2-0 at Watford, while Pearson’s Foxes romped to a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace last Sunday.

It is a tricky fixture to call because Portsmouth might be struggling and currently sit just three points above the dreaded drop zone, but their home form is pretty good as they boast three successive league wins ahead of this match.

Appleton has also drafted in loan reinforcements to strengthen his side, in the shape of Joe Mattock and George Thorne from his former club West Brom. Abdul Razak is set to start in place of ankle injury victim, skipper Liam Lawrence, while Hermann Hreidarsson also misses out.

Pearson could bring Sol Bamba back in his defence for the match following a one-match ban and Lee Peltier is also fit, as Leicester go in search of a fourth win in six league games at Fratton Park and a fifth win in nine Championship outings.

Don’t be fooled by those encouraging stats, though, as Pompey ran out convincing 6-1 winners in the corresponding fixture last season. But the clincher is that Leicester have already drawn half of their eight away games to date and, with Appleton desperate not to lose his first match in charge in front of the home fans, back both teams to take a share of the spoils.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5

Value Bet: Leicester/Draw HT/FT @ 16/1

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

West Ham United

The Hammers will have spent plenty of time on the south coast in recent days, after they were beaten 1-0 in a hard-fought contest against high flying Southampton in their last outing.

Manager Sam Allardyce and his men came away from St Mary’s Stadium with not a point to their name, after Jos Hooiveld headed home from a simple set-piece for Southampton, leaving West Ham in fourth place in the Championship table.

A win over Brighton on Monday would push the Hammers (2/1 Championship outright) up into the automatic promotion places just behind the Saints, who were held by Reading to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Considering the injury problems at Upton Park this term, it has been a credit to Allardyce’s men for sticking to their task and continuing to pick up points.

James Tomkins, Carlton Cole, Guy Demel, Gary O’Neil and keeper Robert Green have been joined by Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor on the extensive injury list that the Hammer’s boss has had to deal with.

A trip to the AMEX Stadium has been no easy task as many sides have found in the Championship so far, and with West Ham struggling for personnel, it poses a big challenge for the Londoners.

After a storming start to their campaign in England’s second tier, when the Seagulls were continuing their impressive form from last season, they have gone off the boil in recent outings.

Brighton have failed to pick up a win in their last six matches and now find themselves out of the playoff places in 12th position.

The south coast outfit only lost two games at home last season and have tasted defeat just once at the AMEX Stadium this term, while they have played some attractive football in front of their fans.

Scotland international striker Craig Mackail-Smith (6/1 first goalscorer) has carried on where he left off last season with Peterborough and has proved to be an exciting player to watch.

With five league goals to his name so far, the gifted forward will be someone the West Ham defence will have to look out for if they want to head back to the capital with any points.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet could be tempted to give a debut to Gonzalo Jara Reyes, who has joined the club on loan from Premier League outfit West Brom and may add some extra quality into the starting XI.

The Seagulls may have struggled in recent weeks but, at home and with West Ham struggling with injuries, Brighton might just edge this one and push up the Championship table.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

These two sides are arguably two of the biggest and best supported clubs in the second tier of English football this season and there will be an electric atmosphere when these two giants meet.

West Ham found out that getting out of the Championship may be no easy task after they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cardiff City in their opening game of the season.

However, manager Sam Allardyce and his players have responded well from their disappointing loss to the Bluebirds and secured victories over Watford and Doncaster Rovers in their last two outings.

The Hammers could be boosted by striker John Carew, who is set to make his debut for the club following his summer move to Upton Park.

Carew (11/2 First Goalscorer) will add some extra power up front and with his physical presence he is bound to cause a less than reliable Leeds defence problems on Sunday.

As for the Whites they have come through a torrid spell at the start of the season where they lost their opening two games to Southampton and Middlesbrough, before securing a 4-1 win in their last outing against Yorkshire rivals Hull City.

A lack of movement in the summer transfer window has been a major concern for Leeds fans with 34-year-old midfielder Michael Brown being the only permanent outfield signing since the end of the last campaign in which the West Yorkshire outfit finished seventh in the table.

Many believe Leeds over-achieved in the Championship last season and their early form this term would back that claim, as the Whites have struggled with key strikers Luciano Becchio and Davide Somma both out with long-term injuries.

However there were plenty of positives to take out of the win over Hull, with Adam Clayton looking strong in midfield alongside the Honduran international Ramon Nunez (5/2 Anytime Scorer), who has scored three goals already this season.

Loan-man Andy Keogh showed promise in his first game for Leeds on his return, having made one appearance before being sold by former manager Kevin Blackwell in 2005.

This should be an exciting game between two very attacking sides, who do have frailties at the back so expect plenty of action on goal.

With the Hammers at home they should come out on top in this one but it would not be surprising to see Leeds come away from the capital with a draw if the likes of Max Gradel and Robert Snodgrass enjoy time and space on the ball at Upton Park.

In Sunday’s other game, Middlesbrough host Birmingham City at the Riverside, with the home side hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season (Middlesbrough 21/20, draw 12/5, Birmingham City 13/5 Match Prices).

Seven points from nine spells out a strong start by the former Premier League outfit who underachieved last term.

As for the Blues they have won one and lost one in their opening two games of the Championship with new manager Chris Hughton looking to take his side back to the top flight as quickly as possible.

This will be another close encounter but Birmingham might just bag all three points in this one with the extra quality they possess in their squad.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

The Hammers experienced a nightmare season last year. After a disappointing start to the campaign they never really looked like they had the mentality to stay in the Premier League.

The Upton Park side were constantly criticised for seemingly wasting their obvious talent and former boss Avram Grant was seen by many as the reason for their consistently flat performance.

However, Sam Allardyce in now in charge at the club and if there’s one thing ‘Big Sam’ knows how to do, it’s motivate his sides.

The former Bolton boss has also invested wisely bringing in the likes of Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan and the squad is now arguably stronger than last term. He will be confident he can return the east London club back to the Premier League at the first attempt and not many would bet against him.

Leicester (9/2 outright) will be another club looking for promotion after a summer that has seen them spend heavily and bring in a number of established stars as they look to return to the top flight for the first time since 2004.

Sven-Goran Eriksson took over the side midway through last season and nearly took them to the play-offs after an appalling start. One Foxes player to look out for is one of Sven’s former starlets at Manchester City, Michael Johnson, who has signed on at the King Power stadium on-loan and will be looking to reinvigorate his career after a terrible run of injuries.

A fully-fit Johnson has the ability to play at the very top level and he’ll be looking at this season as a chance to gain first-team football and rebuild his reputation.

Nottingham Forest fans will be hoping their side can finally fulfil their potential after falling short in the play-offs for the last two seasons. Steve McClaren has been installed in charge at the City Ground and will be looking to succeed where predecessor Billy Davies failed and inspire his side to take the next step.

They’ll be looking to the likes of Dexter Blackstock (40/1 top scorer) to fire them to glory and this season could finally be their year to make a return to the top flight.

Finally one team who could be the surprise package of the season is newly-promoted Southampton, who will be hoping their young squad can take them back to the top flight for the first time since 2004. Saints have invested well during the summer and have managed to bring in influential midfielder Jack Cork from Chelsea.

However, their most important piece of transfer business was keeping young winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He could be one of the stars of the season if he can hit the heights of last term.

Whatever happens, the Championship always provides excitement so strap yourself in and get ready for yet another rollercoaster season in the Football League.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Wigan v West Ham (4pm)
You don’t have to be a genius to work out where the most bitten fingernails will be on Sunday. The DW Stadium plays host to bottom club West Ham and one-from-bottom Wigan in a six-pointer.

Defeat for West Ham will send them down and even a win might not be enough to keep them up if results go against them. The Latics need three points to keep alive their hopes of survival and anything other than a win could end their hopes of beating the drop. While the Latics form has picked up recently they have still only managed one win in the last six matches. How West Ham long for a win – their last victory came back at the start of March.

The Hammers will have looked at Saturday’s results and realise the fat lady is warming up when it comes to their hopes of beating the drop. The Latics should have enough to take advantage but you get the sense that both of these teams are doomed.

Match bet – Wigan to win @ 21/20

Birmingham v Fulham (4pm)
Blues wouldn’t have been too impressed with results on Saturday as Wolves and Blackpool won, while Blackburn picked up a point against champions Manchester United.

That leaves Birmingham outside the relegation zone, but only on goal difference. A heavy defeat to Fulham at St Andrew’s while see them swap places with Blackpool and start the last week of the season in the drop zone.

However, they’ll have taken heart by the way Liverpool ran rings around the Cottagers on Monday night. The west London outfit had been making steady progress under Mark Hughes and the Welshmen will probably send his charges out with a flea in their ear after the defeat earlier in the week.

Match bet – Birmingham HT/Draw FT @ 14/1

Liverpool v Tottenham (4pm)

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp looks like a man under pressure at the moment after Tottenham’s capitulation this season. The north London club were being mentioned in the same breath as title challengers in the first half of the season.

However, since the turn of the year, Spurs have won just 7 out of their last 23 games in all competitions. That has seen Redknapp’s men tumble down the table and out of the Champions League qualification spots.

Contrast that with Liverpool’s resurgence and you get two teams going in different directions. The Reds have won six of the last eight in the league and victory for them on Sunday will see them confirm a place in next season’s Europa League.

While the end of the season can’t come soon enough for Tottenham, Liverpool will be keen for it to continue. Luis Suarez, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriquez have all been lethal in front of goal recently and they should have too much for Spurs’ shaky backline.

Match bet – Dirk Kuyt to score anytime @15/8

Arsenal v Aston Villa (4pm)

The Gunners title challenge finally fizzled out at Stoke last week but there is still something to play for in their final two matches. With Manchester City just two points behind in fourth Arsenal could find themselves having to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they don’t pick up another win.

Arsenal are very strong at home and with the pressure off you might see a bit more free-flowing football from Arsene Wenger’s men. For Villa, they are all but safe and that will be a relief for their fans when you consider they face Liverpool on the last day of the season. A 1-1 draw with Wigan last week won’t fill Villa supporters with confidence they will get anything out of their trip to north London.

Match bet – Both teams to score @ 5/6

Chelsea v Newcastle (1:30pm)

The first match of the day comes last on our Premier League preview due to the dead rubber nature of the game. Neither Chelsea or Newcastle have much to play for other than pride and places, with the title race and relegation battle over for both clubs.

Carlo Ancelotti will have a tough job on his hands to pick up his players after their defeat at Old Trafford, especially in what is likely to be a sombre attitude at Stamford Bridge. However, Newcastle’s awful away form should play into the Blues’ hands – the Toon having picked up maximum points on the road just twice in the last 12 matches. The two clubs drew in this season’s clash at St James’ Park, but Chelsea should end their home campaign on a high.

Match bet – Chelsea to win 2-1 @ 22/1

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

West Ham v Manchester United (12:45pm)

United  traditionally don’t always enjoy their trips to Upton Park and with a Scott Parker-inspired West Ham slowly climbing away from the relegation zone everything appears to point towards a coupon-busting win for the Hammers. United have failed to win 11 of their 15 matches away from Old Trafford this season and were well and truly hammered in the Carling Cup clash between these two in east London earlier in the season. With the Hammers priced at 16/5 for the win it’s tough to overlook Avram Grant’s side as a decent punt this weekend.

Match Bet – West Ham to win @ 16/5

Birmingham v Bolton (3pm)

Life for Birmingham City’s supporters has been a real rollercoaster this year. Off the back of a solid return to the top flight last season Blues have slipped into a relegation battle this time around, but ended their long wait for silverware. Since winning the Carling Cup in February Birmingham have picked up just one point and now face a must-win game against Bolton. The Trotters will probably have their upcoming trip to Wembley on their minds and with their league status all but assured they might take their eye off the ball at St Andrew’s.

Match Bet – Birmingham to win @ 7/5

Everton v Aston Villa (3pm)

Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has described the next eight games as “cup finals” and who can blame him after the season they have endured. They travel to Everton just a point off the relegation zone and in desperate need for the England trio of Ashley Young, Darren Bent and Stewart Downing to fire them to a win. If they play as well as they did with England then an injury-hit Toffees team might struggle to contain them.

Match Bet – Villa to win @ 16/5

Newcastle v Wolves (3pm)

Mick McCarthy’s Wolves side are the form team in the bottom half of the Premier League and, despite losing Kevin Doyle to injury, have shown enough recently to indicate they are good enough to stay up. In contrast, Newcastle are slipping down the table at an alarming rate and Alan Pardew’s dream of qualifying for Europe has been given a rude awakening. With eight points from their last four games it’s tough to look beyond Wolves to take another step towards safety.

Match Bet – Wolves to win @ 11/4

Stoke v Chelsea (3pm)

Chelsea’s victory over Manchester City has given the west London club real hope they can still retain the Premier League title this season. The Blues are coming good at just the right time, although they could do with their strikers rediscovering their goalscoring touch very soon. Chelsea have won the last seven games against Stoke, who much like Bolton might have their FA Cup semi-final on their mind. Chelsea have left it late to find a winner in games recently and it could be a case of déjà vu at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Match Bet – Draw HT/ Chelsea FT @ 3/1

West Brom v Liverpool (3pm)

It is tough to imagine Roy Hodgson doesn’t have revenge in mind when his former employers drop by the Hawthorns this weekend. His six month stint at Anfield won’t have been the happiest of his career and he?ll hope they don’t heap further misery on him by plunging his new team further into relegation trouble. Hodgson is unbeaten in his four games in charge of the Baggies but it seems fate Liverpool will inflict more pain on him. The Reds have looked a lot more solid away from home recently but goals have been a problem for them, despite the addition of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll. They should just do enough to sneak three points at the Hawthorns.

Match Bet – Liverpool to win @ 13/10

Wigan v Tottenham (3pm)

From Wigan to Madrid. It is going to be an interesting few days for the Tottenham players as they prepare to go on their travels. Saturday’s game at the DW Stadium is a must win one if they don’t want this to be their only Champions League adventure but the three points are just as important for the Latics. Wigan are rooted to the foot of the league and while survival is still a possibility their six wins all season suggests Spurs should be too good. Wigan’s only hope is if the lure of the Bernabeu proves too strong for Harry Redknapp’s men.

Match Bet – Tottenham to win @ 5/4

Arsenal v Blackburn (5:30pm)

If our predictions are right then Arsenal will go into this game knowing they could cut United’s lead at the top to two points if they beat Blackburn. Either way a win is a must against statically the worst team in the Premier League currently. Arsenal have some big names back in Cesc Fabergas and Theo Walcott which should give some of their more mentally jaded players a lift. Rovers are in big trouble, their last-gasp draw against Blackpool saved them from slipping even further down the table but they look like a team who are struggling just at the wrong time.

Match Bet – Arsenal to win to nil @ 10/11.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Kenny Dalglish

The Reds are unbeaten in their last eight in all competitions and have conceded three goals in that time. They have also received a boost with the news Steven Gerrard should be back from a groin injury, after he wasn’t risked in Thursday’s Europa League tie.

The three points for the Reds are likely to rest on which West Ham turns up. The one who played the first half against West Brom will be looking at another embarrassment, while the team that came from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 could pose Liverpool a tough test.

Keeping clean sheets has been West Ham’s biggest problem and with Luis Suarez (9/2 first goalscorer) slowly getting into the grove of things, West Ham fans should be a bit nervous. Raul Meireles has been on fire of late, scoring five in his last six league matches.

Match Bet: Liverpool to win with -1 handicap @ 13/5

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has probably been looking forward to this game more than any other since taking over at Craven Cottage, as his current club face his former team Manchester City (3pm).

Since being sacked 14 months ago, Hughes has probably been counting down the days for an opportunity to prove City were wrong to get rid of him. In the reverse fixture in November, City annihilated Fulham 4-1 but that was a Cottagers team still getting to grips with Hughes’ tactics.

Since the turn of the year, life for Fulham fans has got better and they have eased their relegation fears. They will go to Eastlands in good heart but are unlikely to get much joy against a City side that blew Aris Salonika away in 12 minutes in the Europa League on Thursday.

City’s formidable trio of Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli showed signs of forming some kind of a partnership in midweek, albeit Balotelli not noticing the other ten men in blue at times on Thursday.

Dzeko scored two very good goals and the Bosnian should lead City to a win, albeit not as lavish as the reverse fixture in west London.

Match Bet: Dzeko to score anytime @ evens

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Burnley

The Championship outfit have the better form of the two sides, having won five of their last nine games in all competitions, losing only once. This was a 1-0 defeat at Doncaster at the start of the month.

Since installing new manager Eddie Howe, the Clarets have lost just once in six games and are making a concerted assault on the  play-off places. This may still be their top priority for the rest of the season but there is clearly a winning mentality at Turf Moor and Howe will be desperate to keep the momentum he has built up.

Meanwhile, relegation threatened West Ham have only won two in their last seven but will be buoyed by their stunning second-half comeback against West Brom last weekend in which they overturned a three-goal deficit to draw 3-3 at The Hawthorns.

In fact, despite their lack of wins, it is clear that the Hammers have significantly improved in recent weeks. This is backed up by the fact that they have only lost once in their last five games.

One of the main reasons for this is a renewed spirit. Avram Grant’s side looked dead and buried before Christmas but inspirational captain Scott Parker has led by example on the pitch and his enthusiasm and appetite for the battle has now begun to spread to other players.

West Ham were unlucky to be knocked out at the semi-final stage of the Carling Cup to Birmingham City and will have a strong desire to go as far as possible in the FA Cup to avenge this defeat.

Goals could be guaranteed at Upton Park as the Hammers have scored three times in three of their last four games. Meanwhile, Burnley have netted six times in their last three fixtures, including grabbing three at Watford.

Chris Eagles is Burnley’s form player in the FA Cup as he has already scored three goals in the competition. He scored the third goal in the Clarets’ 4-2 defeat of Port Vale in the third round whilst he bagged a brace against Burton Albion in round four.

West Ham will be stiffer opposition than those two sides and Eagles will need to be on top form if Burnley are to sneak a win. However, he clearly likes this competition and 11/4 to score at any time against a defence which has conceded 48 goals in the Premier League looks good value.

Indeed, the Hammers’ defence is of significant concern as they have conceded 19 goals in all competitions in 2011 already. With no clean sheets in eight games, backing Burnley at 4/1 to score in both halves looks tempting.

West Ham played Championship opposition in the fourth round, scraping past Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Upton Park. A Victor Obinna hat-trick provided the goals and he is 40/1 to do the same again. Whilst this may seem unlikely, a small nibble on 8/1 for him to net a brace looks like a good option.

Burnley will not fear West Ham as many of their players have experience of playing against them in the Premier League last season. Furthermore, the Clarets are currently eighth in the Championship meaning there are few rungs between them and West Ham in the football pyramid.

Should the north west outfit force the Hammers back to Turf Moor, it will be seen as a real achievement, so the 5/2 on offer for the draw looks another strong bet.

Want £200 Free? Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.