West Ham United Vs West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 25th January 2020 – 15:00 Kick-Off
English FA Cup
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Sportingbet
(All betting odds displayed in this article were correct at time of writing: 23rd January 2020 at 14:00)
Preview: There will be a familiar face in the managerial dugout of the opposing team at London Stadium on Saturday. Former Hammers manager Slaven Bilic take his new club, West Brom, to East London for an FA Cup Fourth Round encounter with an out-of-sorts West Ham.
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Table of Contents
West Ham Preview – Hapless Hammers back in their rut?
Fans could have been forgiven for feeling a slight sense of trepidation ahead of facing League One opposition in the previous round, this after suffering that humiliating 4-0 loss to an Oxford United side from the same division during a September League Cup encounter. Those fears were eased however by the not-so-prolific Pablo duo, as Pablo Zabaleta and Pablo Fornals grabbed a goal apiece in a 2-0 victory at Gillingham to ensure West Ham progressed in the FA Cup with minimal fuss.
That was only a third win across their past ten FA Cup games for The Hammers (W3 D3 L4 inside 90 minutes only). So this is hardly a competition the club excel in. It could also be argued that with their position in the Premier League a precarious one, being kept out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone, their priorities reside elsewhere. However, that certainly didn’t prevent manager David Moyes from naming a strong line-up in the last round.
Since beating Gillingham, though, the fortunes of the team have reverted to what has essentially been the norm for much of this season – failing to win their following three fixtures with Sheffield United (1-0), Everton (1-1) and Leicester (4-1). The latter occurring more recently, succumbing to a heavy defeat at King Power Stadium in midweek. Their form at home is also a significant concern coming into this game, having won one of the last eight matches staged at their London Stadium (W1 D2 L5).
West Brom Preview – Bilic determined to down former employer?
Those desperately trying to pinpoint where an upset might occur this weekend will likely be drawn towards a club top of England’s second tier boasting recent form for holding their own versus top-flight opposition. West Brom held Brighton to a goalless draw at The Amex last season, only to lose the subsequent replay 3-1, while 2017/18 was memorable for their stunning 3-2 victory at Anfield where they shocked a Liverpool side that would later appear in the Champions League final that same season.
For rather obvious reasons, a victory over an out-of-sorts West Ham wouldn’t be nearly as impressive as their triumph on Merseyside. Based on present form, though, it would represent a surprise. The Baggies have been extremely consistent for much of the campaign thus far, losing only three league games and sitting top of the Championship for large periods. Last week’s disappointing defeat at home to Stoke, however, made it no win in six for Slaven Bilic’s men (D4 L2).
Partly to blame for this recent decline has been a sudden drop in scoring output. Not to any extreme lengths it must be stressed, however five goals in their last six league games is a notable drop-off from notching 45 across their opening 22 fixtures. This has been less profound on their travels, though, scoring in nine consecutive away outings (W6 D3) since a 1-0 reverse at Leeds at the beginning of October. One being their 1-0 victory at Charlton in the previous round.
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Betting Summary
On current form, West Ham are prime for an upset. Any new manager bounce the team may have been enjoying under David Moyes has seemingly subsided after failing to win any of their last three league encounters since beating Gillingham in the previous round of this tournament. Furthermore, it is one win in eight on home turf (W1 D2 L5) – a 4-0 scoreline against the Premier League’s most out of form outfit, Bournemouth.
West Ham Vs West Brom – Key Facts:
- Across their last eight home games, West Ham have only managed one win (W1 D2 L5).
- West Brom are unbeaten on the road in nine (W6 D3), last failing to score in an away outing on 1 October in a 1-0 loss to Leeds.
- Each of the previous seven meetings staged at West Ham have returned goals for both teams, with West Ham unbeaten in nine as the home side in this fixture (W3 D6).
Top of the league below but possessing form of a mid-table side? West Brom must defy a lull in recent results if they are to avoid defeat away to a Premier League team in this competition for the third season running. Sleven Bilic has seen his team go six Championship games without a win (D4 L2). However, away from home it is no loss in nine (W6 D3), scoring in all nine. That bodes well for goals at a ground which has seen eight of West Ham’s last nine competitive matches produce goals for both teams.
Best Betting Odds for West Ham Vs West Brom
West Ham – 5/6 Ladbrokes
Draw – 14/5 Bet365
West Brom – 10/3 WilliamHill
