WEST HAM BETTING TIPS 2009/10 PREMIER LEAGUE

Gianfranco Zola looked to be in a real spot of bother a few months ago, but he finally gave West Ham exactly what they needed- a solid mid-table finish and the promise to build up for this year's campaign. West Ham did well last year to finish 10th after spending a few tenuous years struggling to survive. The fall-out from their Icelandic Soiree is finally subsiding and they look set to progress further and bring a little bit of glory back to Hammers fans. I'd forgotten that Kieron Dyer plays for West Ham? What happened to that guy? I'm expecting Luis Boa Morte to be a big help in midfield, and hanging onto Matthew Upson was a tidy piece of business. Scott Parker continues to be the poor man's Frank Lampard, while Dean Ashton will be expected to bang the goals in all season. Carlton Cole is another quality player who should provide at least 10-15 this year if he stays healthy. Freddie Sears will be at Crystal Palace for this season so we'll be missing out on his exploits. The bookies don't expect West Ham to move forward this year, so I think there's some betting opportunities on them for sure. To finish higher than 9th pays out at 9/4 while finishing anywhere lower than that is odds-on at 4/7. They are a straight 11/10 to finish in the top half again this year. I can't see them finishing any lower than 12th, provided they don't have any injury crisis' or a deplorable run of form. I think they may not start too brightly but will get better as the season goes on. Should West Ham have a really break out year and finish fifth, you're likely looking at 33/1. Merely to avoid relegation, they're priced very short at 1/66. Carlton Cole is 66/1 to high-roll the Premier League in terms of goals, while Dean Ashton carries an identical price.