Saturday’s FA Cup third-round provides West Ham United and Nuno Espirito Santo with a welcome distraction from their Premier League survival battle.
Well, that is the idea anyway.
Lose at the Pirelli Stadium – West Ham United’s record against League One sides in the FA Cup is worryingly poor – and suddenly nobody will be talking about their much-improved recent form any longer.
How many changes will Nuno Espirito Santo make? Which, if any, Hammers youngsters will make their debuts in Staffordshire? And, after Pablo Felipe was ruled out for the foreseeable future, how can Nuno combat his absence?
- Sign up for free here to tell us what you want to see on Saturday!
Will Nuno ring the chances for Burton? 🛎️ 🏆
Which youngster do you want to see make his full West Ham debut?
Keiber Lamadrid and Mohamadou Kante will hope to start for West Ham United
We at Hammers News asked, and you answered.
Fans want to see Keiber Lamadrid and Mohamadou Kante from the off this weekend.
Venezuela international and surprise January signing Lamadrid marked his West Ham Under-21 debut in style with a stunning strike for Greg Lincoln’s reserves earlier this month. If he is to turn a loan deal into a £1 million permanent transfer, this feels like the sort of game Lamadrid will have had circled on his calendar.
And, if you believe the chatter, West Ham have a young Patrick Vieira prototype ready to burst onto the scene in Mohamadou Kante.
The giant Frenchman looks like a ‘modern Premier League midfielder’ already. And, having run the show against a number of third and fourth clubs in the EFL Trophy, expect Kante to go about his business with a trademark swagger if he is selected at Burton.
What do YOU want to see in the FA Cup fourth round? 🏆
Or, 'who' do you want to see?
Alphonse Areola will return in place of Mads Hermansen
Nuno confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Alphonse Areola will step in for Mads Hermansen tomorrow. He was less forthcoming, however, when asked if Adama Traore could make his first start. Or, in fact, when quizzed on how his starting XI will look.
In truth, it will probably be a mix of fringe players, youngsters, and the odd regular starter.
Who would you select, though, if you were in Nuno’s shoes?
West Ham desperate to avoid an FA Cup upset in Burton
Brewers boss Gary Bowyer plans to make life uncomfortable for West Ham.
If non-league Macclesfield Town can stun the holders Crystal Palace, then why can a third-tier outfit not do the same against a team far closer to them in the footballing pyramid? That is the message Bowyer is sending out, determined to make the most of a rare opportunity with very little to lose.
West Ham have lost three of their last five FA Cup meetings with League One sides. A record Bowyer is desperate to extend.
A very good omen for Burton… 🏆 🍻
What message do you have for Nuno ahead of the FA Cup 4th round?
Daniel Cummings’ Anderlecht stunner should not go unnoticed
Sporting director Mark Noble raved about Daniel Cummings when the Scottish starlet arrived from Celtic last summer. Now, we know why.
Cummings scored a thumping winner against Anderlecht as West Ham finally secured their first Premier League International Cup victory of 2025/26 in midweek.
Back to full fitness after an injury-interrupted start to life south of the border, could Cummings be Nuno’s FA Cup wildcard with Pablo unavailable?
A stunning finish from the Scot! 🏴
How would you feel about Daniel Cummings playing a role in the FA Cup on Saturday?
Pablo Felipe will need to be replaced in the attack
Speaking of Pablo, how does Nuno go about combatting a crushing, cruelly-timed injury to his £18 million January signing.
Tomas Soucek is a Premier League record-holder these days. He may fancy himself popping up in the second-striker role. Mateus Fernandes is another candidate, while Nuno may opt to give Callum Wilson a go up top with the versatile Taty Castellanos in behind.
What do you think is the best solution to this Pablo-shaped problem?
How should Nuno react to Pablo’s ‘big’ injury lay-off? 🤕
Fernandes at 10? Wilson back in, maybe?
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
