West Ham United vs. Burnley – FA Cup Preview
West Ham United take on Burnley in their knockout fifth round FA Cup tie at Upton Park as Avram Grant’s men look to embark on another cup run.
Let’s take a brief look at how both the teams are expected to line-up for this crucial Football Association Cup matchup, which is scheduled to take place on 21 February, 2011.
West Ham United
Under the influence of Avram Grant’s miracle working cup football capabilities, West Ham United are steadily turning their season around.
Admittedly still in the relegation zone in the English Premier League table, January’s signings are still finding their feet with the Hammers. In the winter transfer window, West Ham United signed the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robbie-Keane-c31215 to bolster their
under strength squad.
West Ham have only won two out of their last five competitive fixtures. One of these wings came against Nottingham Forest in the last round of the F.A Cup whereas the second one came against Blackpool in the English Premier League.
West Ham United drew their latest English Premier League encounter against West Bromwich Albion but Grant is still working hard to pull the Hammers towards safety and out of the relegation zone.
Just a few weeks ago, West Ham United were knocked out of the Carling Cup at the semi-final stage after conceding a late, heartbreaking goal during the extra-time of their match against Birmingham City.
Nonetheless, another cup run will work wonders for West Ham’s faithful fans but the priority still lies in securing their English Premier League survival for another season.
Burnley
After a disappointing last season in the English Premier League, the Clarets are in a fine run of form at the moment with four wins out of their last five matches. Their only loss came against Aston Villa in the Carling Cup.
Eddie Howe’s men have already shown that they have the stomach for a big fight as they knocked Bolton Wanderers out of the Carling Cup earlier on in the season.
The mood inside Burnley’s camp has been quite positive in the build up to their visit to Upton Park. The Championship’s minnows are gunning for another Premier League scalp but whether they will have the quality to best West Ham United still remains under
doubt.
Howe said in his pre-match notes that there is good team spirit and a desire to achieve something this season at Burnley. He added that his team are building momentum. The Englishman concluded by stating that his outfit are in a good run of form and want
to continue along those lines.
Team news
West Ham United are scheduled to give a debut to their 2010 summer transfer window signing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Hitzlsperger-c34961. The German midfielder has been absent from action for the Hammers since the start of the English Premier League season due to a thigh injury,
which he sustained whilst he was on international duty, with the German national team squad.
Avram Grant’s team will be without the services of Robbie Keane and Peter Kurucz as well due to their respective knee injuries.
Expected West Ham line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Barrera-c28949, Carlton Cole, Piquionne.
On the other hand, Burnley are blessed with the fitness of their full squad.
However, Howe will be without the services of Charlie Austin and Marvin Bartley as both the newcomers for Clarets are cup tied with their previous clubs.
Expected Burnley line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Eagles, Thomspon
Key Players
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Victor-Obinna-c36080 will be the man to watch out for in West Ham’s offensive line up. The speedy winger has already become the highest scorer in this season’s FA Cup with five goals thus far and he is further expected to add to this tally when the Hammers take
on the Clarets.
Burnley will be banking on the former Manchester United youth academy player Chris Eagles to work his magic. The central midfielder has been instrumental in Burnley’s form this season and if he manages to take hold of the game through the midfield area then
West Ham will find it hard to get their passing game going throughout the match.
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