August 11th 2024.
It's no secret that West Ham has been a bit of an underdog in the Premier League for some time now. But with their recent acquisition of Niclas Fullkrug, things are starting to look up for them. Some may even say they have a chance at making it to the top four and securing a spot in the prestigious Champions League next season. Yes, you read that right. The Hammers are now in the running, and before anyone starts calling for the men in white coats, let's take a closer look at their potential.
For years, West Ham has had a reputation for being overconfident and not living up to their potential. But now, they have put together a team with depth and quality, led by the highly respected manager Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui has experience in the English game, having previously managed at Wolves and other top clubs like Sevilla, Real Madrid, and Porto. And the best part? They won't have to worry about balancing European football this season, which can often be a distraction for teams.
Their summer signings have also been impressive, with a standout A- grade so far. The addition of Fullkrug, who shined for Germany in Euro 2024, from Borussia Dortmund, along with other strong players like Crysencio Summerville from Leeds and Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, have strengthened their attack and defense. And they're not done yet, as they have also secured deals for players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United and Kurt Zouma from Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli.
But let's not forget about the core players who have remained on the team, such as Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse, and the crucial Lucas Paqueta. With this strong lineup, it may be a stretch for West Ham to finish in the top four, as the odds of 16/1 suggest. However, they could give other teams a run for their money and potentially secure a top six spot, with odds of 6/1.
For those looking to place bets on West Ham, Sky Bet's 10/11 for them to finish in the top half again is a solid choice, considering they finished ninth last season. And for even better odds, bet365 is offering 14/1 for them to finish as the best of the rest, outside of the top six teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United, and Chelsea. This bet would require Aston Villa to regress, but with the added pressure of Champions League football, it's definitely a possibility.
In other football news, the Championship is back in action with a highly anticipated match between Luton and Burnley. Luton, who narrowly missed out on staying in the Premier League last season, have kept most of their squad intact and their manager Rob Edwards has signed a new deal. On the other hand, Burnley may take some time to adjust to new manager Scott Parker's leadership. With this in mind, Luton is a strong bet at 29/20 with Ladbrokes and Coral.
For those looking for a potential goal scorer, Carlton Morris, who scored 11 times in the Premier League last season, is a good bet at 7/1 with Sky Bet to break the deadlock, and 14/5 with Unibet and BetUK to score at any time.
In cricket, Birmingham Phoenix is favored to beat Trent Rockets in The Hundred at Edgbaston, with odds of 17/20 at Betway. Jamie Smith is a strong contender for top run scorer for the home team at 7/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair, while Joe Root is the same odds to do so for the visitors.
And finally, in other news, Chelsea has made the decision to banish another first team star from Ezno Maresca's squad, while Man Utd may find themselves in trouble if they sign a £30m player, according to former player Paul Parker. But for Arsenal fans, there may be some hope on the horizon as they aim to finally edge past Manchester City and secure their first Premier League title in two decades.
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