- Team form: West Ham are unbeaten in their last five games, the last two of which have been ties.
- Recent results: Portsmouth have drawn their last two games – 1-1 v Farnborough FC and 0-0 v SV Darmstadt 98.
- Home stats: West Ham have averaged 1.67 goals per game at home and conceded 0.67 goals per game.
Pompey will try to make West Ham’s life uncomfortable
Tactics and shape
The 4-2-3-1 structure is a little misleading when it comes to John Mousinho's Portsmouth because they are very rigid and compact in terms of shape and discipline. Pompey have drawn their last two matches with Farnborough and Darmstadt – 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.
They look more together than most and have been organised since Mousinho took over in January 2023. Their away record in all competitions is W3, D2, L2 and there should be enough bite in this Pompey team to make this awkward for the Premier League club.
West Ham
West Ham have W3, D4 and L3 in their last 10 in all competitions and while their form is solid, it is not outstanding. Nuno Espirito Santo has his men operating in a system that is flexible and risk-managed, but also controlled and disciplined.
They can set up with a back three or a back four, but they are at their best when they can play off the transition and the 0-5 win at Stevenage Borough showed that they have the teeth to put teams away when the game opens up.
Market and verdict
West Ham are the clear favorites for this cup game at 1.5 with Portsmouth available at 5.8 and the tie at 4.35.
If West Ham land the first big counter, they should have the upper hand but Pompey are very well-drilled and we think this will be closer than the odds suggest.
- Portsmouth should make this close so the market is leaning towards this being a lively cup match and there's a good chance Over 2.5 goals at 1.55 and Both Teams To Score: Yes at 1.65 will come in.
- A West Ham win with over 2.5 goals seems to cover the numbers and the way both of these sides have been playing.
- Portsmouth have conceded 10 goals in their seven away games and the Hammers should have them on the back foot more often than not in this one.
- Valentin Castellanos has been the standout for West Ham of late with two of their six goals coming in the last five matches and he looks like the best anytime scorer here.
