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West Ham vs Everton: League Cup Round of 16 preview

By Henry Tomlinson

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: The old style of seating in the stands before the Womens FA Cup Quarter Final match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on September 27, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: The old style of seating in the stands before the Womens FA Cup Quarter Final match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on September 27, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Visionhaus) /
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West Ham faces a problematic trip to Goodison Park on Wednesday evening, Everton are standing in the Hammers way of the League Cup quarter-finals.

Both sides are in good form going into the knockout match, Everton have won all five competitive games so far this season. West Ham have won their last three of their previous four games in all competitions. The Hammers previous win was a 4-0 thumping of Wolves.

WEST HAM TEAM NEWS

This will be the round of the cup where fans see how seriously teams are taking this year’s League Cup. The Hammers, however, are in the peculiar position of playing an equally strong side in the previous rounds.

There will be a big rotation for the Hammers team, Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe. Anderson, Manuel Lanzini and Jack Wilshere are all likely to start against the Toffees. Sebastien Haller will also be back in the starting line-up, the French striker is the clubs top-scorer this season with five goals.

There will be a few absentees from the match, one of which is Ryan Fredericks. The English right-wing-back was forced off against Wolves after damaging his hamstring. Fredericks could be out for over a month, meaning there will be more opportunities in the first team for Ben Johnson and Harrison Ashby.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Fredericks of West Ham United receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 27, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images )
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Fredericks of West Ham United receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 27, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images ) /

The other absentee’s rate Issa Diop, Josh Cullen and David Moyes, the trio tested positive for COVID-19 last week and are self-isolating. In the Scots absence, Alan Irvine will continue to take charge of the match, as Moyes will be at the end of the phone to Stuart Pearce, as he was on Sunday.

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PREDICTED STARTING XIs

West Ham United: 4-3-3

Randolph, Johnson, Balbuena, Alese, Masuaku, Wilshere, Snodgrass, Lanzini, Yarmolenko, Anderson & Haller.

EVERTON: 4-3-3

Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Mina, Nkounkou, Sigurðsson, Delph, Bernard, Iwobi, Richarlison & Iwobi.

MATCH PREDICTION

Everton will no doubt be the Hammers most challenging test in their League Cup run so far. The Toffees are a few levels above Hull City and Charlton Athletic. Irvine’s defence will need to be on top form to keep Everton’s attack at bay.

The Toffees should they play the three of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and James Rodriguez could cause a lot of issues for the fragile West Ham defence. The Hammers, however, could cause as many problems as Everton has proved not to be the most defensively solid side so far this season.

Anderson, Yarmolenko, Haller and Lanzini have been in great form in the League Cup and could cause Everton’s defence as many issues as their attack will cause the Hammers. The game should be full of goals and could go all the way to penalties.

Next. West Ham in talks to sign Napoli centre-back. dark

SCORE PREDICTION

Everton 2-2 West Ham. Hammers to win on penalties.

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