Fans can make or break a manager, more so than they can a team, and Alan Curbishley's tenure at West Ham may be nearing its end.

He's had a decent enough time at the Hammers, but the former West Ham player has never won the fans over and even the 4-1 win over Macclesfield in mid-week in the Carling Cup was accompanied by jeers from the crowd.

Part of the problem lies in the perceived unattractive football the team are playing currently; part, though, is that the unrealistic expectations far outweigh the capabilities of these players.

West Ham folded last week and ended up losing 0-3 at Manchester City, all goals coming in the second half.

But the week before, they won 2-1 at home to a Wigan side who are tough to break down.

Blackburn's problems pre-season have not so much come from the fans - though some feel Paul Ince is not the man to take the club forward - but from the media stirring up trouble with regards players wanting to leave.

Roque Santa Cruz has publicly stated his desire to stay at the club and the loss of Friedel and Bentley seems to have been put behind the club.

Blackburn also won comfortably in the Carling Cup, 4-1 against Grimsby.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Blackburn's league form seems them currently in third, a decent 3-2 away win at Everton followed by a fairly static 1-1 home draw against Hull. But they created chances and can look forward to the season ahead.

Blackburn, then, can go into the game with confidence. Consider, then, the loss of Hammers defender Anton Ferdinand to Sunderland, the fans disappointment at Curbishley, and West Ham look to have got this game lost before they step on the field.

Pinnacle Sports quote $3.07 for the away win, a decent price given the Hammers' problems.

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Bet: Blackburn to win Odds: $3.07 Stake: 4pts Bookies: Pinnacle Sports

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers