West Ham travel to Goodison Park to face an in-form Everton side with a spot in the League Cup quarterfinals on the line. The Green St. Hammers staff make their predictions on who will advance.
Adam: 2-1 West Ham
Building off of the impressive win over Wolves, I expect West Ham to come out flying in a crucial Cup match with Everton. Maybe it is naivete or blind optimism, but when motivated and in a system that works, this squad can get results and can look solid at both ends of the pitch.
The offence will have to rely on the front three of Haller, Yarmolenko, and Anderson, but Manuel Lanzini could be integral in pulling the strings from the middle of the pitch against Everton’s B side. It’ll be tough to keep that opponent quiet, but I can hold out hope.
Henry: 2-1 Everton
West Ham have been cruising in the League Cup so far, but Everton are a few levels up from the opposition the Hammers have previously faced. After the win against Wolves, it would seem that anything is possible now. Although, Everton have been in great form this season and look as though they are taking the League Cup very seriously. As confident as I would like to be, I think it will be the end of our League Cup campaign for this year against the Toffees.
Jack: 3-2 West Ham
Now that we’re in the round of 16, we have a massive chance to go far in the League Cup. We’re in good form at the moment but so are Everton so it’ll be a good game all around. I think we will start a strong squad because Moyes has previously said that he’d love to win a cup with us but I’d expect Ancelotti to also do the same. Everton are on a perfect run at the moment and will be looking to continue that on Wednesday.
However, Everton do have their weaknesses, as they conceded twice against Fleetwood and twice against West Brom. We’ll probably see the same squad that started against Hull. It’ll be a very tough game but I think that we will win 3-2 and claim our place in the Quarterfinals with Haller (x2) and Yarmolenko scoring our goals and with Calvert-Lewin and Rodriguez scoring for the Toffees.
Justin: 3-2 Everton
The firepower from West Ham’s league cup trio of Haller, Anderson, and Yarmolenko have led an attack that has led to eight goals, seven of which have come from the aforementioned group of attackers. Those three should be starting this Round of 16 match against an Everton side who did give up two goals to League 1 Fleetwood Town but have conceded only three goals in three league games.
Everton’s attack has been clinical thus far, with Richarlison and Premier League joint-leading goal scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the way. West Ham will hopefully continue to play with three at the back to nullify an Everton side that look to be going all out for the League Cup.
I think Everton will find a way to win this one as West Ham will put up a spirited fight. I think it will be highly entertaining with the Toffees squeaking out the victory 3-2.