Derby vs West Ham prediction: ENGLAND: FA Cup betting tips on match 2023-01-29 19:45.
Starting their FA Cup campaign in the first round for the very first time in Derby County’s history hasn’t fazed them thus far as they enter this fourth round clash after dispatching Torquay, Newport and Barnsley. The League One promotion hopefuls face their toughest test yet this time around though, as they meet West Ham for the first time since a 2-1 win in 2011.
The Rams look good value for an immediate second-tier return following a run of five straight wins in league action. However, recording a fourth straight FA Cup victory will be significantly tougher given they’ve never achieved such a feat since 1976. Records are there to be broken though, and Derby will be full of confidence after netting more FA Cup goals (12) this season than in any since 1992/93.
Looking to stop Derby building on that momentum are Premier League strugglers West Ham. David Moyes’ men enjoyed a 2-0 win over crisis club Everton last time out to soothe their relegation woes for now, however the Hammers are not only worried about a return to the second-tier for the first time in over a decade, but they’ve also suffered a big blow with new signing Danny Ings facing weeks on the sidelines after just one appearance!
An FA Cup excursion against lower-league opponents could provide the perfect distraction, especially if West Ham can extend their winning run in the competition against sides outside of the top-two tiers to five games. But with the visitors winning only one of their last four FA Cup away games within 90 minutes (D2, L1), justifying their favourites status is by no means assured.
Players to watch: Derby’s David McGoldrick scored in their comeback league win last time out and has also had a hand in a quarter of their FA Cup goals this season (G2, A1). Moyes’ men booked their place in the fourth round courtesy of Saïd Benrahma’s goal against his former club Brentford; he could thrive in this fixture having contributed to five goals against Derby in four H2Hs with the Bees (G3, A2).
Hot stat: West Ham have lost just one of their 13 FA Cup games that were played on a Monday (W9, D3).