West Ham stumbled back into the Premier League rather than cantered as most expected they would and Sam Allardyce still appears a square peg in a round hole.

The former Blackburn manager is the bookies’ favourite to be the first Premier League boss made to walk the plank and if the Hammers start slowly he is likely to oblige his short odds.

Summer activity

Alou Diarra, James Collins and Malian forward Modibo Maiga from Sochaux have all joined the Hammers in multimillion pound deals. While Jussi Jaaskelainen from Bolton and Senegalese midfielder Mohamed Diame have joined on free transfers.

You can rely on…

Allardyce not lasting the season. Big Sam has not won over the fans with his direct football and is 7/4 to be out of a job come May.

Where should your money go?

The Hammers have made better additions than most of their fellow potential strugglers during the summer so ignore the 2/1 price for them to go down and have a look at 5/6 for the claret and blues to surpass 40 points.

Carlton Cole a, sort of, proven scorer at this level and arguably West Ham’s best striking option is a generous 4/1 to top score at the club.

Did you know…

West Ham’s home stadium is called the Boleyn Ground, not Upton Park.

Ante-post odds (bet365)

Premier League 5,000/1
Top ten finish 5/1
FA Cup 66/1
League Cup 66/1
Relegation 2/1

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