Hull, Stoke and Leicester aiming to edge out of bottom half

Three teams aiming to improve on their fortunes are in action as they attempt to improve on their current form and climb up the Premier League table.

Hull City V Southampton
Hull City host a Southampton side that is currently on fire, and who sit second in the top flight. Steve Bruce’s side are 11/4 to win the match and are unbeaten in three Premier League fixtures, after following up a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace with commendable away draws at Arsenal and Liverpool. New signings Mohamed Diame and Abel Hernandez have been revelations this term, and the latter, who has three league goals, is a 15/8 anytime scorer. Former West Ham midfielder Diame, meanwhile, is 5/1 to score in the same market.

For Southampton, Graziano Pelle is the pick of the bunch, after netting nine goals in all competitions so far for the Saints, and is 4/1 to grab the opener. He bagged a brace in midweek against Stoke City in the club’s Capital One Cup win, as Ronald Koeman’s men showed they can do it on a cold, wet Wednesday night in Staffordshire. Hull have shown a resilience for grinding out results though, and a 1-1 draw is on offer at an 11/2 price.

Stoke City V West Ham
Stoke’s form has been indifferent of late, losing two on the bounce to Southampton, first in the league and then the cup, they will be hoping they can get back on track against a resurgent West Ham United team, who swept aside reigning champions Manchester City last time out. The Potters are 5/4 to win the match, though the Hammers will be hoping to maintain their top four status, and are offered at 21/20.

However, the visitors could be hamstrung by the absence of top scorer Diafra Sakho, who could be replaced up front by Carlton Cole, who is a 2/1 chance to net anytime, while Enner Valencia has been in good form lately and is 6/1 to grab the opener. The home side have a clutch of players, Mame Biram Diouf, the suspended Peter Crouch and Charlie Adam on three goals apiece, with the latter a threat delivering set pieces.

Former Rangers, Blackpool and Liverpool midfielder Adam is 4/1 to score anytime, while Diouf, who sprung a surprise on Man City at the Etihad, is 6/1 to open the scoring.