Claudio in search of a Mit better luck

THINGS could not be much tighter at the bottom of the Premier League table right now and there are some huge clashes this weekend.

One of the more intriguing matches is at Fulham where Claudio Ranieri’s side host West Ham.

The Cottagers are 4-5 for the drop and 9-5 to take all three points. The signs point towards an away win at 11-8.

But it is two home wins on the bounce for Fulham against West Ham, with both sides scoring in those games.

It is 1-2 to see both teams score again today – not a bad price considering the pair have each seen that scenario pan out nine times already this season.

As for goalscorers, it is hard to look past Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic with the Hammers’ Marko Arnautovic out until the New Year with a hamstring injury.

The Austrian – strongly linked with a move to Manchester United – would have been up there in the betting had it not been for that fitness blow but that means Fulham’s frontman is 4-1 to net first and 5-4 to net at any time. West Ham are in fine form heading into this one with three wins on the spin and victory could see them climb up to seventh if other results go their way. But Fulham have to start picking up points and fast. What better place to do so than at home against a local rival?

Elsewhere Huddersfield Town are very much in a relegation scrap and are currently favourites for the drop at 1-2.

They come up against a Newcastle side slowly climbing up the table.

In fact, Rafa Benitez’s men might just be the bet of the weekend at 2-1 for three points.