Newport County V West Ham United
Tuesday 27th August 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
English League Cup
Pick: West Ham -1.25 Asian Handicap
Odds: 9/10
Bookmaker: BetVictor
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/5 | 39/10 | 19/50 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 25th August 2019 at 13:10)
Preview: Premier League side West Ham have been handed a trip to Newport County in the second round of the League Cup, with the League Two outfit attempting to produce a shock inside their Rodney Parade stadium.
English League Cup Betting with 22Bet
Newport County Preview – Home form to be the catalyst for upset victory?
The Exiles would appear to have the ideal profile for a potential giant-killing team. Their league form has been remarkably consistent, with their current five-game unbeaten start to the new season a continuation of the impressive form sustained towards the end of the previous campaign that saw them sneak into the League Two play-offs on the back of a ten match unbeaten run.
So, what is the problem exactly? Well, the cup competitions haven’t factored high on their list of priorities. And understandably so, as very rarely will a team from the fourth tier make it far enough in this competition for it to be considered worthwhile. Since returning to the football league in 2013, the club has not progressed any further than the second round. Furthermore, there isn’t a single notable scalp to be found.
In last season’s competition, Newport drew fellow League Two side Cambridge first out, subsequently thrashing them 4-1 away from home. The next round, however, seen them on the receiving end of a similar scoreline when losing 3-0 at home to Oxford United from the league above. Meanwhile, Leeds spanked them 5-1 at this same stage two years. I could go on but the pattern remains near enough the same.
The one ray of light does come in the shape of their superb home form. Manager Mike Flynn has overseen a group of players that has avoided defeat in the last ten league matches staged at home (W6 D4). That 13 of the last 14 such matches have failed to produce more than two goals might deter any would-be goal backers, though.
West Ham United Preview – Another comfortable progression for The Hammers?
Even though the fifth round has seemingly been the limit of their capabilities, this competition has still been one West Ham have shown an eagerness to do well in. Their problem has been an inability to raise their game whenever the inevitable meetings with the more established sides comes round. However, negotiating the earlier rounds, against the more docile opponents, hasn’t posed them anywhere near as much problems.
There was a routine victory away to AFC Wimbledon last season, winning 3-1, which was followed by that emphatic 8-0 demolition of Macclesfield Town in the following round. The previous season drew them away to Cheltenham Town, who are another side that play their football down in League Two, where they would produce a professional performance to run out 2-0 winners.
The potential of an upset occurring would appear minimal at best, therefore. It will feel even more unlikely now, with confidence well and truly restored to the dressing room following a first league win of the season away to Watford on Saturday. Three goals and a stellar all round performance from his side will have pleased manager Mauricio Pellegrino immensely, with the Chilean now having to decide how many first-team regulars to rest for this encounter.
One man who may not feature from the off could be their big money signing of the summer, Sebastien Haller. The imposing forward netted his first goals for the club at the weekend, breaching the Watford defence on two occasions, but there is a chance he might not be risked having only recently recovered from a knock.
Newport V West Ham Key Facts:
- Newport have made an unbeaten five-game start to their League Two season (W2 D3).
- West Ham secured their first league victory of the season at the weekend, having previously collected one point from their opwning two fixtures.
- This will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Betting Summary
Despite some very impressive form down in League Two, which has seen them begin the season with a five-game unbeaten run, Newport’s track record in this competition speaks for itself. This is a team not renowned for producing upsets, failing to even make it any further than the second round since becoming eligible for the tournament in 2013. Their matches at home tend to produce low-scoring affairs.
The mood among the West Ham players should be reasonably healthy now that they’ve shifted the burden of expectancy that accompanies any team who begins the season a little slow. A mauling against Man City and a 1-1 draw at Brighton was followed by a 3-1 win at Watford at the weekend, a timely and morale boosting win for the team.
The league remains the priority for Newport, whereas West Ham have shown this competition more respect in recent times and are not prone to early exits. Provided the manager doesn’t make wholesale changes, the visitors’ class should safely see them through what looks, on the face of it, to be a tricky looking fixture.
