Kick-off: Sunday, 21 February @14:00 GMT
Venue: Ewood Park (Blackburn)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
West Ham vs Blackburn 1-1 (2010/2011 Premier League)
Blackburn vs West Ham 1-1 (2010/2011 Premier League)
West Ham vs Blackburn 0-0 (2009/2010 Premier League)
Blackburn vs West Ham 0-0 (2009/2010 Premier League)
Blackburn vs West Ham 1-1 (2008/2009 Premier League)
Blackburn vs West Ham prediction
Ewood Park will host Sunday’s FA Cup game between Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United. The Riversiders set up a meeting with the Premier League side by beating the likes of Newport County and Oxford United, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in Sunday’s clash against Slaven Bilic’s team.
Focus on the Championship
Blackburn Rovers have been struggling in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign. The Riversiders sit in 18th place in the standings and they are just eight points clear of the relegation zone. Paul Lambert’s men aim to secure the Championship survival and seeing that they face Derby County on Wednesday evening, I would not be surprised if the experienced tactician decides to rest his men against West Ham United. Blackburn outclassed Fulham 3-0 in their last league game and it has to be noted that January signing Danny Graham opened his goal-scoring account at the weekend. The 30-year-old forward, though, is cup-tied and in his absence Chris Brown will lead the attack for the hosts. The former Doncaster Rovers attacker has yet to score for the Ewood Park outfit in the 2015/2016 campaign.
Matt Grimes and Danny Graham are both cup-tied, meaning that the duo will miss the West Ham United game. The good news is that Hope Akpan should recover in time to face the capital club. Coach Paul Lambert has no other injury concerns.
Four-game winless run on the road
West Ham United did remarkably well to eliminate Liverpool in the FA Cup round 4 and they will be looking to build on the triumph when they take on Blackburn Rovers in Sunday’s clash at Ewood Park. Slaven Bilic is doing a great job with the Boleyn Ground outfit and it is no surprise they are regarded as favourites to make it to the FA Cup quarter-finals. The capital club showed character in a 2-2 draw with Norwich City at the weekend as they came from behind to share the spoils with the Canaries at Carrow Road. West Ham have eliminated the likes of Wolverhampton and Liverpool on their way to the last 16, but the visitors will have to be at their sharpest if they are to beat Paul Lamberts’ men. Slaven Bilic could rest some of his first-team regulars against Blackburn and seeing that key attackers miss the match with injury, January signing Emenike should be deployed up front as a lone forward.
Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia are both sidelined with injury, while defender Sam Byram is cup-tied. Manuel Lanzini has overcome his injury and he is pushing for a start.
Quick Facts
- The two teams shared the spoils in each of their last five meetings
- Blackburn recorded one win in previous five games
- West Ham United are on a four-match winless run on the road
- Hammers failed to keep a clean sheet in previous three games
- Slaven Bilic’s team recorded their last win at Ewood Park in 2007
Blackburn vs West Ham betting tip
West Ham United are superior to Blackburn Rovers and that is more than obvious, but seeing that Ewood Park will host Sunday’s FA Cup game, there is every chance we will see a close encounter this time out. Slaven Bilic can’t count on his key attackers for the Blackburn game and considering that the Riversiders managed to keep a clean sheet in their last home game, under 2.5 goals bet should be considered.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.60 (3/5) @BetVictor
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