The Championship: West Ham United vs Southampton Odds and Betting Preview

LONDON, UK - It is a top of the table clash at Upton Park this Tuesday evening as Championship leaders West Ham United host second-placed Southampton with top spot in England's second division on the line. West Ham are favourites for the game, priced at 5/4 with BetVictor to pick up their fifth win in six games.

A draw is best priced at 7/3 with betinternet and Southampton can be backed at best odds of 5/2 with Stan James to follow on from their fine 2-0 win against Burnley at St. Mary's at the weekend.

West Ham currently sit just one point ahead of Southampton having played a game less as their match at the weekend was postponed due to the poor weather. This game could be crucial in deciding the title race as a win would see the Saints go to the top of the table before West Ham have the tough task of travelling to in-form Blackpool next Tuesday in the second of a run of games that could make or break their title bid.

In the total goals market, over 2.5 goals is priced at 21/20 with betinternet and under 2.5 goals is priced at 4/5 with Boyle Sports. 57.1% of West Ham's home games have gone over 2.5 goals and, despite being the top scorers in the Championship, only 42.9% of Southampton's away games have involved less than 2.5 goals.

West Ham top goalscorer Carlton Cole is the bookies favourite to open the scoring, priced at 13/2 with BetVictor. In the same market, Sam Baldock is priced at 13/2 with totesport, Championship top scorer Rickie Lambert is priced at 15/2 with BetVictor and David Connolly is best priced at 9/1 with Paddy Power to open the scoring against his former club.

Nigel Adkins is expected to have a full-strength squad to pick from and the importance of key players was highlighted by the Saint's good performance against Burnley with the return of key players like Jos Hoovield and Adam Lallana, in whose absence Southampton had had a run of poor form, which saw them surrender their position at the top of the table.

In the correct score market, a 1-1 draw is priced at 6/1 with Coral, a 2-0 win for the Hammers is priced at 10/1 with betinternet and a 1-0 win for West Ham is quoted at top odds of 13/2 with Stan James. A goalless draw is priced at 10/1 with Boyle Sports and a repeat of Southampton's 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture is best priced at 9/1 with Paddy Power.

The Hammers are still without their suspended captain Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble is expected to take the captain's armband for the visit of Southampton and Sam Allardyce's men will be keen to get revenge for Southampton's 1-0 victory at St. Mary's in a tight game back in October.

The game is scheduled to kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

West Ham United vs Southampton Match Odds
West Ham United vs Southampton Over/Under Odds
West Ham United vs Southampton First Goalscorer Odds
West Ham United vs Southampton Correct Score Odds