West Ham

Zola’s men have struggled over the course of the campaign which came as a shock following their top-half-of-the-table finish last time around.

The east Londoners, however, could be safe on Saturday night if they manage to beat inconsistent Wigan at Upton Park (West Ham 4/5, draw 12/5, Wigan 16/5) and Sunderland roll over Hull at the KC Stadium (Hull 6/5, draw 9/4, Sunderland 21/10).

Three points would move the Hammers six points clear of the 18th-placed Tigers with two games to play, with their vastly superior goal difference highly likely to be enough to guarantee their top-flight status.

But Zola is honest enough to admit he is relying on an out-of-form striker to get his side out of the mire in the shape of seven-cap England forward Cole, a former team-mate from his days at Chelsea.

The Italian said: “Carlton hasn’t scored for a while but he’s keeping an important one back for us, possibly a winner.

“I’m relying on that. He hasn’t scored many goals but he is an important player for us. As I said, I know he is keeping something good for us.”

In fact, Cole (6/5 Anytime Goalscorer) has not hit the back of the net for nine Premier League games and was virtually anonymous, along with most of the West Ham side, during Monday night’s limp 3-0 defeat at fellow under-achievers Liverpool.

But Zola hopes good things can come from the loss following clear-the-air talks with the players.

He added: “It’s a massive game for us and we also know the last game wasn’t very good. You say certain things in the changing room and it is important because it means the players are committed.

“They are determined to bounce back. I am confident we will see a reaction. We have had so many problems this year and we are determined to give those problems a kick and this is an incredible opportunity to do that.”

Wigan are all but safe; they go into the weekend seven points above the drop zone with three games to go following last Sunday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over Arsenal at the DW Stadium.

But Latics manager Roberto Martinez does not want to leave any margin from error at the end of a roller-coaster first season in charge following last summer’s move from Championship side Swansea.

The Spaniard said: “I’ve heard a lot of people say we are safe, but I don’t believe that.

“Mathematically we’re not safe, so we need to make sure we achieve that first and foremost, and I feel the players are focused, more concentrated right now than ever this season.

“We can allow ourselves to treat this game as a cup final because the reality is if we beat West Ham we’ve achieved our aim for this season, which is staying in the Premier League, and it doesn’t come any bigger than that.”

Martinez added: “It’s important we don’t follow up what was a fantastic win over Arsenal with a bad result against West Ham.”

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The Red Devils are going for a record 19th league title (13/2 Outright) after drawing level with Liverpool on 18 last season, with Ferguson’s men also looking to become the first outfit to win four Premier League crowns on the bounce.

But Ferguson concedes that top-four hopefuls City (4/9 Top 4 Finish) have their own agenda to fight for over the course of the remainder of the campaign, something which gives derby day a whole new twist.

The Scot said: “In over 23 years at United it is the first time we have played City when they have a chance of actually achieving something.

“Whenever we have played City they have always said they will beat us, whether it is a chairman, director or somebody else.

“That is what a derby game does. Supporters want to hear that.

“But this is a different game in terms of City’s position and you can be sure whatever happens it is going to be pivotal in terms of both clubs’ prospects for the season.”

Ferguson’s opposite number, City chief Roberto Mancini, claims the Blues are facing the most important run of games in the club’s 130-year history immediately after the United clash, as he looks to guide them into the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

And the Italian concedes the ease of his summer transfer business will be decided by the outcome of City’s season.

He admitted: “It is important we finish in fourth because we can change the way we are going.

“It would put us in the Champions League next year and that would make it easier to get the players we want.”

The derby at Old Trafford finished 4-3 in United’s favour back in September when Michael Owen came off the bench to score the winner five minutes into stoppage time.

A win for United at Saturday lunchtime would see them close to within a point of leaders Chelsea who do not play until their evening encounter with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

But with four games to play Ferguson knows United’s title destiny is now out of their own hands following the 0-0 draw at Blackburn last Sunday.

Speaking after the game, he said: “It’s a blow, there’s no question about it. It makes it really difficult to win the league now.

“That is a fantastic result for Chelsea. It has slipped away from us.

“We have a lifeline if Chelsea blow it.”

Chelsea went on to beat Bolton in midweek to establish a four-point cushion with four games left for both themselves and United this term.

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