Bristol City vs West Ham United tips and predictions: Hammers could suffer latest Cupset indignity
- George Dempsey
- 15 January 2024
Bristol City welcome West Ham United to Ashton Gate in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday evening (1945 GMT) and there’s the potential for an upset.
West Ham’s trip to BS3 to take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate in an FA Cup third-round replay promises to be un an uncomfortable one.
The Robins are a stubborn and well-organised opposition that is proving a tough nut to crack, even for the top-tier sides in the Championship.
Leicester and Leeds beat them by the odd goal in three and Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Preston was the most lopsided setback they’ve suffered since October.
West Ham are without several key players for the replay but they do have the benefit of additional rest. They haven’t played since the 1-1 draw against City.
Lucas Paqueta has joined Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio on the sidelines in the wake of that match, while Mohammed Kudus is on AFCON duty. However, a strong squad is still expected on Tuesday if a little toothless.
The testing circumstances have been recognised by the bookies. Whereas you could back Bristol City +1.25 at close to even money in the first meeting, +0.5 is odds on here.
It’s plausible that City’s energetic young squad, carried by a full house at the Gate, could at the very least claim another draw.
But West Ham’s chequered history in cup competition would that an outright shock isn’t beyond the hosts.
Declan Rice spared their blushes against Kettering in injury in 2022, before Bowen’s 121st-minute winner settled things.
They weren’t so fortunate against Oxford, Wigan or Wimbledon, though, all of whom beat the Irons, while Shrewsbury held them to a 0-0 draw.
Blackburn knocked them out of the League Cup in penalties in 2022 while League One sides Lincoln City and Derby County made them earn their victories last season.
David Moyes’ side has won six of 22 FA Cup away ties since 2009, all of which were against lower-league opposition, including a 1-0 win against Bristol City in 2015.
On the other hand, City have been competitive in each of their last 15 home ties. Man City are the only side to win an FA Cup match at Ashton Gate by more than one goal in that run.
Team news
Mark Sykes, Kal Naismith, Rob Atkinson and Ayman Benarous are ruled out for the hosts.
West Ham will be without the services of Paqueta, Bowen, Antonio and potentially defensive duo Vladimir Coufal and Konstantinos Mavropanos due to injury.
Kudus and Nayef Aguerd are on African Cup of Nations duty.
Key stats
- Bristol City are unbeaten in 12 of 16 FA Cup matches at home
- West Ham failed to win 18 of 25 FA Cup away games
- Both teams have scored in six of 10 at Ashton Gate
- Both teams have scored in 13 of 20 West Ham matches
