Middlesbrough are up in 9th and deserve credit for producing points when not playing particularly well. They've been reliant on their defence in recent games and, but for the 0-5 home defeat to a rampant Chelsea (the scoreline flattered the away side due to a flurry of goals around the hour mark), they've been solid at centre-back and goalkeeper.

They don't look too strong elsewhere and up front they don't seem to have a partnership that has clicked. Alves is starting to score goals, but he's taken a while to adjust to the league and Mido can blow hot and cold.

Boro won 2-0 against Man City in midweek and they led until injury-time before drawing 1-1 at Blackburn. Also, despite being under severe pressure, they broke away to score a last minute goal to beat Wigan three weeks ago.

West Ham have now lost 4 in a row, but they have not been completely dominated in either the game against Arsenal or Man United. They weren't so clever in the defeats to Hull and Bolton, and it's those games that point more towards how they might get on on Saturday.

They don't look to be capable of scaring teams and, but for the pace of Bellamy, they don't offer too much threat up front. Even then, Bellamy is not the most prolific, so the Hammers do need a proven striker to replace the injured Ashton.

At the back, they've caused themselves problems and they have conceded in every Premiership game so far. But, Boro don't present the goal threat to take full advantage and this could be the game that Zola's defence gets this right. They certainly dealt decently with United and Arsenal, so they are improving.

Match Betting Previews 1-3 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Chelsea v Sunderland - Everton v Fulham - Man United v Hull - Middlesbrough v West Ham - Portsmouth v Wigan - Stoke v Arsenal - Spurs v Liverpool - WBA v Blackburn - Bolton v Man City - Newcastle v Aston Villa Championship: Cardiff v Wolves La Liga: Malaga v Barcelona - Valencia v Racing - Almeria v Real Madrid Serie A: Juventus v AS Roma - Reggina v Inter - Milan v Napoli Ligue 1: Nancy v Bordeaux - Lyon v Le Mans Bundesliga: Werder v Hertha - Bayern v Arminia

With that being the case, there is an argument for going for the Number of goals market and it's possible this game could turn into a non-event.

The Under 2.5 market is available at $1.92 which seems good value. However, the Under 1.5 market quotes $3.75 at Victor Chandler which seems far better value given the lack of firepower for each team.

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Bet: Under 1.5 goals Odds: $3.75 Stake: 3pts Bookies: Victor Chandler

Match Betting Previews 1-3 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Chelsea v Sunderland - Everton v Fulham - Man United v Hull - Middlesbrough v West Ham - Portsmouth v Wigan - Stoke v Arsenal - Spurs v Liverpool - WBA v Blackburn - Bolton v Man City - Newcastle v Aston Villa Championship: Cardiff v Wolves La Liga: Malaga v Barcelona - Valencia v Racing - Almeria v Real Madrid Serie A: Juventus v AS Roma - Reggina v Inter - Milan v Napoli Ligue 1: Nancy v Bordeaux - Lyon v Le Mans Bundesliga: Werder v Hertha - Bayern v Arminia