Saints, Stoke and Swans’ top 10 credentials face stern PL tests

Coral preview the next assignments for Premier League top top 10 hopefuls Southampton (15/8), Stoke City (13/8) and Swansea City (6/5). Ronald Koeman’s Saints face a trip to West Ham, the Potters go to the Etihad to take on Premier League champions Manchester City and Garry Monk’s Swans host West Bromwich Albion.

West Ham v Southampton
The Saints, 7/4 to take all the spoils here, have lost heavily on this away day on each of the last couple of campaigns, but did manage to score on both occasions. Odds on a West Ham win with the two teams being on target are tempting at 24/5. It’s 23/10 for a draw.

Southampton summer signing Graziano Pelle broke his duck in the south coast side’s midweek Capital One Cup win at Championship club Millwall. His stoppage time strike sealed a 2-0 victory, and the Italian forward is a 6/1 shot to score last again.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, 6/4 for victory here, was less fortunate in that competition, however, losing a penalty shoot-out to League One promotion contenders Sheffield United. Many names were rested by the Londoners here, however, so first-team players will return fresh for the Saints’ visit to Upton Park.

Argentine attacker Mauro Zarate got his first West Ham goal in their 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace last time out in the Premier League, and he is 6/1 to open the scoring, or a shorter 7/4 in the anytime market.

Swansea v West Brom
Despite losing as many home matches against Albion as they’ve won in the last four meetings, Monk’s men start as odds-on 4/5 favourites for a fourth straight success (in all competitions) this season, which could temporarily take them top of the table.

The Baggies, who triumphed at the Liberty in mid-March, are rated 7/2 outside to give Alan Irvine his first Premier League victory here. It’s 5/2 for a draw.

None of the last four Swansea scorers from this fixture are still at the club, so it’s to French target man Bafetimbi Gomis, who broke his duck in the Capital One Cup win over Rotherham United, that Monk may now look. Odds of 5/1 say he will net last again.