Stockport County vs. West Ham United – prediction & team news

Premier League outfit West Ham United make the trip to Edgeley Park on Monday night as they square off against non-league side Stockport County.

While the Hammers sit in 10th position in the top flight, fifth-tier Stockport hold fourth place in the National League standings.

The fifth-tier side secured an extra-time win in their second-round fixture against Yeovil Town to book their place in this round.

Both clubs have one win, one loss and two draws in their last four outings.

Reason for Stockport County vs. West Ham United predictions:

• West Ham have won to nil on six occasions this season.
• Stockport’s last two defeats have both been to nil.
• The hosts have only conceded more than two goals once this season.
• Stockport have lost their last five FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, last knocking out a top-flight team back in January 1994 against QPR, when County were a third-tier side.

The two clubs have locked horns 14 times across all competitions. This will be their first meetings in the 21st century. They last met in the League Cup in 1996.

This is the first time Stockport County and West Ham have faced in any competition since December 1996, with Stockport winning 2-1 in a League Cup fourth round replay.

The Hammers have seven wins to their name while The Hatters have won three games in this fixture. Four games have ended in a stalemate.

There have been three encounters in the FA Cup between these two sides. Each team have secured one win apiece and one game has ended in a draw.

The last FA Cup encounter between Stockport and West Ham was back in January 1958 in the fourth round, with the Hammers winning 3-2 at Upton Park.

Three-time FA Cup winners West Ham have not had the best of luck in the competition recently, reaching the final just once since their 1980 win and that came in 2006 when they gave up a lead to lose to Liverpool on penalties. More recently, the Hammers have been knocked out at the fourth round for the past three seasons, all coming at the hands of lower league opposition.

Though both clubs are unbeaten in their last three games, the visitors are the clear favorites in this fixture.

The sheer difference in the quality of players in the starting XI will be a decisive factor in the game.

We predict a win for visiting West Ham United in this FA Cup clash.

Our Prediction: West Ham @ 1.23

Source: BetInAsia Black