So we head to Blackburn for the fifth round of a Cup campaign that looks increasingly promising. With Rovers struggling at the foot of the Championship and having just traded their star striker in Jordan Rhodes, while the Hammers are flying high in the Premiership, this looks a simple enough call.
However, West Ham have no available natural right back as Sam Byram is cup tied and Joey O'Brien injured. In addition, up front Emmanuel Emenike faces his biggest test yet as our only fir striker.
Rovers don't score many while West Ham look a bit blunt up top, so the smart dosh is on a 0-0 scoreline with the Hammers bringing cup action back to Upton Park - hardly a result any Hammer would quibble over.
But there is always the Dimitri Payet factor to consider and Blackburn may struggle to keep the talismanic midfielder under control. Similarly, if Rovers hit the final quarter still in the game the pressure will build on West Ham. Thankfully Darren Randolph and the Ogbonna-Collins centre back pairing has previously been very solid.
Rory Nostradamus predicts a 0-0 scoreline but older (and possibly wiser) observers see the Hammers providing the one moment of class needed to separate the two sides.
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