Hammers Favourites For Everton Clash Despite Clubs` History

Whilst Roberto Martinez might prefer to keep his eyes solely focused on improving Everton`s position in the Premier League, the Toffees must head to West Ham`s Upton Park tomorrow as the teams replay their FA Cup third round match that ended a one-all draw the first time around.

A finely poised encounter throughout, the high-flying Hammers broke the deadlock five minutes after half-time thanks to James Collins` headed goal from Morgan Amalfitano`s corner.

Things were looking good for Sam Allardyce`s side, who had managed to hang on to their slender lead largely thanks to the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Adrian. That was until the second minute of added time, however, when Everton`s talismanic striker Romelu Lukaku volleyed home the late equaliser.

Belgian Lukaku had previously scored the opener against the Hammers in the sides` league match-up at Goodison Park back in November. A 56th minute leveller from now QPR man Mauro Zarate couldn`t earn a point for the away side as Leon Osman struck the back of the net with just over a quarter of an hour still to play.

The two teams contest tomorrow`s tie in an effort to book themselves a fourth round place and a game away at League One opposition in the shape of either Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City, who also fought out a one-all draw. West Ham`s home advantage and superior league position means that they are the bookmakers` favourites for the win with all of Betvictor, Bwin and william hill pricing the Irons up at 7/5.

This home advantage cannot be over-stated with the East London club having only lost once at home since the opening month of the season (in which they lost all of their three games at the Boleyn Ground). This defeat came at the hands of Arsenal, a Cheikhou Kouyate header failing to sufficiently reduce the deficit as the Gunners` grabbed two goals in three minutes before half-time.

Allardyce`s side have, however, scored at least one goal in all of their last five home games.

At best, Everton began the season with a mixed bag of domestic away results though this has further deteriorated with the club having failed to pick up a point away from home in their last five Premier League away games. As a result of this, Martinez`s mid-table strugglers are 21/10 (Numerous) to record a first domestic away win since October.

A home point against Premier League champions Manchester City last time out will have given the Merseyside outfit a small flicker of confidence, however. Steven Naismith hit his sixth goal of the season for the club. A draw after 90 minutes is best priced 5/2 with both bet365 and betfair.

What`s interesting, however, is that West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet against Everton in all of their last six encounters. On four occasions too did tomorrow`s away side net at least two goals past their East London opponents. As a result, Everton are 7/4 (32red, 888sport, unibet) to bag over 1.5 goals or can be backed at 17/5 (Betvictor) to score exactly two.

Eight-time goalscorer Lukaku is a 13/2 chance to score that all important first goal.

In team news, both sides are expected to make changes with the game coming so soon after their last Premier League fixtures. The Hammers` most recent alterations have come in midfield with Big Sam rotating the likes of Stewart Downing, Morgan Amalfitano and Mark noble along with Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan.

Leading scorer Diafra Sakho is a doubt as a result of a long-running back issue. Everton`s England international Leighton Baines should be fit after recovering from a knock inflicted during his side`s 2-0 defeat to Hull to take part in the one-all draw with Manchester City.

Go To bet365

#Ad

12/01/2015     © Frixo 2026