Duncan Ferguson and Paolo Di Canio represent the two opposites when it comes to forwards and styles of play, but they both come into the tedious football category of being 'characters'. But how are they playing?
Di Canio is the perfect example of the best-player-in-school that always wanted the ball and could do more keep-ups than any other kid, but played with a wayward, maverick passion that infuriated his teachers. Di Canio has fired off 11 shots this season and has hit the target with 73% of them as the Hammers try to make up ground after a poor start, but he has also been firing off soundbites to newspapers that won't please his manager.
On the other hand, Ferguson is the Gripper Stebson of forwards. The boy who had a full-on beard at 12 years of age and charged through to score goals like the maniacal Brian Glover in Kes. However, it is interesting to note that since re-joining Everton, Dunc has scored eight times but not one has been a header. But by no means has the giant Scot been neglecting his aerial abilities.
Ferguson has got up and attempted 87 flick-ons - 30 more than the second most prolific Niall Quinn. A clear indication that Everton are persisting with the route-one approach, and although in the first five minutes of the derby against Liverpool it worked, the visitors got wise to it quickly and Everton were out of ideas.
The Evertonian's strength is an asset but his aggressive approach has seen him give away 22 free-kicks this season, not including offsides - more than any other player in the top flight. Some say he is too physical - the guy who tried to burgle his house for a start - but he is always a handful for any defence.
If you feel that Dunc will get the first goal then www.WHUFCBet.co.uk are offering the price of 5/1. Di Canio is always a good bet for the first scorer and the odds of him getting the opener in this game are 13/2.
The flair and invention of the Italian and the strength and power of the Scotsman could make for an interesting game, and perhaps prove that entertaining is not always efficient and vice versa.
Matt Pomroy