West Ham v Watford betting tips: Free Premier League tips, prediction, stats & latest odds on game at London Stadium

Recommended bets

2pts Under 2.5 Goals at 13/16

1pt West Ham and Watford to draw at 21/10

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

West Ham v Watford

• 8pm BST kick-off on Sky Sports
• Match Odds: Home 13/10 | Draw 21/10 | Away 9/4

What a huge game this is for both sides in their battle to stay in the Premier League. Really, neither club should be in such a perilous state given the squad of players each has, but 35 games into a season the league table doesn't lie.

West Ham's Michail Antonio-inspired 4-0 win at Norwich saw them immediately shake off a disappointing home defeat by Burnley, which halted the momentum gathered in collecting four points from difficult games against Chelsea and Newcastle.

Successive 2-1 wins over Norwich and Newcastle have pulled Watford level with the Hammers on 34 points, but with a vastly inferior goal difference. Prior to those back-to-back victories, Nigel Pearson's team were sinking without a trace.

Victory for either side would surely be enough to secure survival.

At time of writing this initially felt fairly difficult to preview without knowing the outcome of Bournemouth's trip to Manchester City or Aston Villa's game at Everton. Positive results for either could, in theory, change the complexity of this match entirely.

But quite frankly, even wins for both the Cherries and Villa wouldn't change how I see this match going.

It just feels like a match neither side can afford to lose, and one both sides would be happy to draw. It's asking a lot of the duo below them should West Ham and Watford have 35 points with two games left, especially when the Hammers host Villa on the final day. So it surprises me so many bookies have West Ham as such strong favourites - plenty are pricing them up at 13/10.

I understand why the bookies wouldn't price it this way, but in my eyes the draw should be considered the most likely result in a match of such significance and the draw at 21/10 offers really good value.

It's tempting to back West Ham's in-form front-man to get amongst the goals again given he bagged all four at Carrow Road last time out, and Antonio anytime available at 12/5 I wouldn't blame you, but in a match that I'm tipping to be cagey I tend to steer clear of the goalscorer market.

So on top of the draw I'll stick to my guns of it being a tight affair and look to the Unders market.

This may sound like a very small sample size, because it is, but West Ham and Watford have conceded only three goals in their past four games combined, which for teams who were previously shipping them for fun is a major improvement. Both sides conceded eight goals a piece in their opening four Project Restart matches.

I'm backing those improved defensive performances to continue - Under 2.5 Goals at 13/16 is a sensible bet.

Prediction: West Ham 0-0 Watford (Sky Bet odds: 17/2)

Best bets:

• Under 2.5 Goals at 13/16
• Draw at 21/10

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