West Ham v West Brom
16.03 21:00
Monday night's live Premier League game should be pleasing on the eye with both West Ham and West Brom keen to play the game the right way.
Both have endured differing seasons with their slick pass and movement games - the Hammers sit on the brink of a place in Europe while the Baggies on the brink of a return to the Coca-Cola Championship.
The latter's boss Tony Mowbray refuses to change his philosophy and will not turn to a heavy-handed, physical style in a bid to remain in the top flight.
An admirable enough approach, but with 10 games left he seems almost resigned to the drop with a recent interview revealing that he will play exactly the same way if consigned to the second tier again next season.
Some seven points from safety, perhaps Mowbray is just being realistic rather than expecting the worst but it is slightly surprising for him to give the impression that the white flag is on the verge of being raised.
All might not be not lost though.
In the same interview he also thinks his side are not far away from being competitive in this league - so perhaps it is not all doom and gloom after all at the Hawthorns!
Whatever happens on the run-in, it is at the back where the post-season dissection will start - whether they survive or are relegated - and some shambolic defending at times needs to be sorted out by Mowbray and his staff.
17 goals conceded in their last six outings is a tough handicap to overcome for any side - perhaps the return of Jonas Olsson at the back could help steady the ship as their generosity at the back has coincided with him being sidelined with a knee injury since early January.
They should also be boosted by the news that striker Roman Bednar is fit again after a back problem and that could give West Brom the chance to pick from a near-fully-fit squad bar a couple of long-term absentees.
The hosts on the other hand, will be without Jack Collison (knee), Valon Behrami (knee) and Carlton Cole (suspension) as they try to maintain the push for next season's Europa Cup.
They have ground to make up on sixth-placed Everton but seventh could be good enough ultimately to see them qualify.
Gianfranco Zola was glad of the extended break after beating Wigan 1-0 last weekend and he is now hoping his players will be able to regather that momentum from the JJB Stadium.
Looking back at the stats this season, West Ham have failed to win three games on the spin and with a couple of key players out, that makes a quote of 8/11 rather unappealing.
West Brom have garnered just one victory away from home themselves but the 5/1 chalked up by totesport and Boylesports looks too big in the context of this one game and could be worth a small interest for them to catch out the Hammers.
Tip: Double chance West Brom/Draw, Odds 2.2
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