West Ham United continues their pursuit of a fourth FA Cup victory in the club’s history in the East Midlands on Monday evening. They will face EFL League One team Derby County in a fourth-round match at Pride Park Stadium. West Ham advanced to this stage with a 1-0 win against Brentford from the Premier League, while Derby defeated Torquay United, Newport County, and Barnsley.
Monday’s game marks the first encounter between the teams since the 2011/12 EFL Championship season, and only the second in the history of the FA Cup. 100 years ago in March 1923, West Ham beat Derby 5-2 in a semi-final match at Stamford Bridge.
A century later, Derby now competes in the third division. Despite recent struggles both on and off the field, a summer takeover and the purchase of Pride Park Stadium by local businessman and Derby fan David Clowes in 2022 have stabilized the club’s future.
Derby County
West Ham, meanwhile, head to Derby looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa in their previous league outing, but they still sit fifth in the Premier League table and will be looking to take advantage of any Rams complacency.
Midfielder Louie Sibley remains out due to a groin injury, but is expected to return to training soon. Defender Eiran Cashin has recovered from a hamstring injury and is available for selection in Monday’s game against West Ham.
The injury to Chester has been a long-standing issue and it will take some time for him to fully recover. The manager, Paul Warne, will be closely monitoring the situation and making a decision on when to bring him back into the team. The return of Cashin and possible return of Sibley will be a boost for the team, as they look to maintain their unbeaten run and move up the league table.
West Ham United
David Moyes has been missing winger Maxwel Cornet since his injury in the Premier League home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 1st.
Danny Ings is ineligible for the cup competition after playing in Aston Villa’s third-round match against Stevenage. Forward Gianluca Scamacca sat out the Premier League home win over Everton due to a knee injury.
Paul Warne was without defender Eiran Cashin and central midfielder Louie Sibley in the last two EFL League One games against Bolton Wanderers and Port Vale, due to hamstring tightness and a groin injury, respectively. Defender James Chester is recovering from a calf injury and has not played since October.
Head to Head
West Ham United and Derby County have faced each other 78 times before, including two War League matches in November 1945, both won by Derby.
In the 76 official first-team matches between the two clubs, West Ham has won 27, Derby has won 24, and 25 have ended in a draw.
The teams have only played each other once in the FA Cup, with West Ham winning 5-2 in a semi-final match at Stamford Bridge in March 1923 when both clubs were in the Second Division. West Ham has defeated Derby 5-0 twice: in a League Cup third-round game at Boleyn Ground in November 1988 while they were both in the First Division, and in a Premier League match at Pride Park Stadium in November 2007. Derby’s best result against West Ham was a 6-0 First Division win at the Baseball Ground in December 1928.
Match Winner Prediction
West Ham to win.
Score Prediction
Derby County 0 – 1 West Ham United
