It’s an uncomfortable time to be a West Ham fan, and while we’re not strangers to a relegation battle, it feels odd that there are so many teams in and around that drop zone all vying to stay in the EPL, especially ones that have had some great seasons in the not-too-distant memory. West Ham included.
Wolves and Burnley are more or less doomed and set to open their campaign next year in the second tier. This is despite a few promising performances of late; they’ve both simply left it far too late. The Hammers are back in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference. They’ve got plenty to be optimistic about. As is often the case when it gets into the final stretch, it’ll be the teams with the most mettle, and the ones who can keep a steady hand while the teams around them drop points.
Listening To The Betting Odds
Once it gets down to the last half a dozen games of the season, this is where form can play the most crucial role. Fortunately, the Hammers are buoyant after picking up a point at home against Man City. It’s a good foundation to kick on and look to climb out of the drop zone. However, at the moment, the sports betting odds are not made for good viewing.
The 24/7 nature of betting markets has meant that outright markets now have much more nuance, often changing in line with global patterns and being sensitive to the smallest pieces of data, such as injuries and suspensions. Niche markets have become globally successful because of this changing dynamic, and while the EPL is still the primary sports betting market, the rise of niche markets like esports and professional video games like CS2 showcases just how much this scope has expanded beyond the EPL.
Ultimately, though, CS2 betting odds work the same way as EPL relegation odds. They are determined by the size of the audience and the amount of money wagered. While money has piled on Spurs to go down this season, the betting odds can’t separate the Hammers or Spurs at the moment; they remain the two favourites to get relegated.
“The Best Team On Paper”
Whenever fans make the argument about the quality of their team on paper, it seems trite and almost redundant. Spurs have spent a fortune on their squad, and they simply don’t gel. They’ve gone through successive managers, and even though he’s only 4 games in, the omens don’t look great for Tudor. He has picked up one point in his first five games, which was a spirited draw against defending champions Liverpool, but they themselves have been blowing hot and cold this year.
Spurs are missing key players like Van De Ven for the next two games, following his red card vs Palace, but he will be back for their game against Brighton. For Spurs, they need to pick up points now; three of their last four games are against Villa, Chelsea, and Everton.
Chelsea and Villa are competing for the top four, and Everton has one of the best away records in the league. It’ll be a very difficult game. The Hammers don’t have it easy either, and while some would argue that there are no easy games in the EPL, they too have to play Everton at home, as well as Arsenal and Newcastle back-to-back.
If it goes down to the final game of the season, though, it could be a straight shootout between Leeds and us to see who stays up – there are plenty of twists and turns yet to come.
The Importance Of Form
While West Ham are sitting in 18th on goal difference, the form table paints a more positive picture. Although they have a tough task next away to Villa, the team should be confident of picking up a win at home to Wolves and getting something against Palace.
Tottenham have not had the new manager bounce, and with rumours circulating that Tudor could have lost his job if he had not taken anything away from Anfield, Spurs also face the risk of significant toxicity at the club. They are inundated with injuries, supporters are deeply unhappy, and many of their players seem to lack the stomach for it.
Mapping The Chaos – Final Thoughts
Again, though, a few results can change these things and swing the pendulum in the opposite direction. Forest has picked up points vs Man City recently and were unlucky not to beat Fulham. Tottenham and Leeds still have to play each other at Spurs ground, and Forest still needs to go there too, and it’s likely these games will play the most important role in shaping how the league pans out.
If Spurs continue on this spiral and fail to turn the tide, there’s every chance they could go down. At the moment, though, it’s a four-way shootout between West Ham, Leeds, Spurs, and Forest – any of them could get pulled down alongside Burnley and Wolves. It could boil down to who is the most chaotic as the season reaches the business end. Without wanting to jinx it, it still feels like this moniker belongs to Tottenham.
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