West Ham v Brentford Preview: FA Cup distraction or golden opportunity?
The big question ahead of this game is how seriously either manager will take this FA Cup tie considering Premier League commitments. Brentford have a realistic chance of qualifying for Europe this season, whilst West Ham are fighting for Premier League survival.
Just like Nunoâs team in the previous round against Burton, Keith Andrews heavily rotated his Bees team as they got past Middlesbrough. I suspect weâll see changes from both managers, but the Monday night fixture means no real congestion, so if they really want to go for it and move on to the next round, they could.
Hammers hoping to build momentum
West Ham United will be looking to build on the momentum gained from Wednesday nightâs Premier League win at Fulham when we resume our quest for a fourth FA Cup crown at home to Brentford.
The Hammers have quietly put together a decent run since Januaryâs third-round victory over QPR. Nuno EspĂrito Santoâs side have lost just twice in their last ten games in all competitions, collecting six wins and four clean sheets along the way.
While Premier League survival remains the priority with nine league fixtures left, a cup run would be very welcome. Confidence has clearly improved in recent weeks and the FA Cup offers a chance to maintain that momentum while edging closer to a potential Wembley trip.
The Irons booked their place in the fifth round with wins over QPR and Burton Albion, setting up what looks like a tricky all-Premier League encounter with Brentford under the lights at the London Stadium.
Brentford chasing history
Keith Andrewsâ Brentford side have been one of the Premier Leagueâs surprise packages this season and currently sit seventh in the table, firmly in the hunt for European qualification.
The Bees have progressed past Sheffield Wednesday and non-league Macclesfield to reach this stage and another victory would equal their best ever FA Cup run.
However, Andrews rotated heavily in the previous round, suggesting that league form may still be the priority for Brentford as they chase what could be a historic finish.
Team news
West Ham could again be without Pablo Felipe, who continues to be assessed after missing the last five matches with a calf problem.
Freddie Potts returns to contention after serving a three-match suspension following his red card at Burton in the previous round.
Brentford have their own injury concerns. Rico Henry and Reiss Nelson are pushing to return, but Vitaly Janelt, Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Antoni Milambo and FĂĄbio Carvalho are all expected to remain sidelined.
Gonzoâs predicted West Ham XI
This one is very difficult to predict because I suspect weâll see rotation â but not a complete overhaul. Personally, Iâd probably go slightly stronger than this and would certainly leave Max Kilman on the bench, but hereâs what I think Nuno might do.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Areola |
| RB | Walker-Peters |
| CB | Mavropanos |
| CB | Kilman |
| LB | Scarles |
| CM | SouÄek |
| CM | Potts |
| CM | Magassa |
| LW | Summerville |
| RW | TraorĂŠ |
| CF | Castellanos |
Prediction
This one could be a bit cagey, particularly when both managers have bigger priorities elsewhere.
I donât expect this to be a classic, but West Hamâs recent much improved form â combined with home advantage â could just edge it.
Prediction: West Ham 2â1 Brentford.
Start with a true 4-4-2 (4 midfielders). As midfield are inexperienced play 4, but also because Traore does not hold up well nor defend, need midfield cover.
Traore & Lamadrid are players who are both quick so want them to get behind defence and get onto long & and through balls.
GK – Scarles, KWP, Disasi, Todibo – Magassa, Potts, Kante, Mayers – Traore, Lamadrid.
When Wilson comes on switch to 4-3-3.
I don’t wish to see WHU leave FA cup with a whimper, but Fernandes + Soucek and forwards were running on fumes against Fulham I thought. So much is demanded of them to help the club survive, unfortunately I think there is no choice but to rest them (mentally too).
WIthout a flair player in midfield and with youngsters in the team, for fun, I’m going for 4 across the park with Kante & Magassa to get into the box as much as possible (this is their natural game), while I think Mayers always looks reliable and he is very quick, so he should get down the line and cross for Kante, Magassa with Lamadrid and Traore picking up 2nd balls. I have a feeling Mayers could handle being in midfield.
I do not expect NES to field a team even vaguely resembling this selection!
If the side is as you have selected, I would hope that Kilman and Traore both use this game to show their best and put themselves into contention for regular places.
We could do with the back-up. And we could do with a cup run.
Do we EVER beat Brentford ?
I’m not predicting anything until I see the line ups. It would be nice to win to keep the momentum rolling but the main threat to us is injuries. Those are the conundrums that arise when you make yourself a league position that’s not as good as it should be…
We should not be relegation threatened and I blame the board that we are.
Obviously with us its a priority to stay in the premier league , but brentfords position is different , i donât understand why you would throw an fa cup game and a chance of making history ( and also qualify for europe) just to try and finish 7th and qualify for the conference league