After beating Manchester United 2-0 on Sunday thanks to goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell, West Ham United’s Carabao Cup game against Oxford United was meant to be a walk in the park.
Unfortunately, the Hammers crashed out of the competition as the League One side beat them 4-0, which was a very big disappointment for anyone involved.
But Bournemouth, West Ham’s Saturday’s opponents, also went out of the cup, as they lost 2-0 to Burton Albion.
And all that means is that both teams are looking to bounce back from their respective mid-week embarrassments.
Although this might not be as easy, as the hosts struggle with injuries to first-team players, whereas the Hammers have received a late boost.
Charlie Daniels, Adam Smith and David Brooks are still unavailable which means that – despite pretty impressive appearances – Diego Rico and Jack Stacey will have to be really careful with the visitors attacking power.
And especially now, as Manuel Lanzini has been deemed fit and ready to play.
But we believe that it’s West Ham he should be the more careful team, and it’s yet again because of Bournemouth dangerman.
CALLUM WILSON
The Englishman has been a revelation for the Cherries throughout their rise through the ranks of EFL, scoring 57 goals in 142 league games, with four goals coming in six games this season.
He also loves a goal against West Ham, having six in the clubs’ six previous meetings.
And with West Ham’s recent result and their defensive switch-ups which might’ve killed off their good run of form, Wilson might have an easy job to do on Saturday as he will be certainly looking to do so and continue his good run against the Hammers.
Even without mentioning Wilson, West Ham’s defensive partnership of Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop will have to do a hell of a job to stop Bournemouth’s front four, and the man in question is more than capable of capitalising on any little slip-up from his opponents.
