West Ham United will host Fulham in the Carabao Cup this evening, marking the Hammers' first meeting with Premier League opposition since their relegation from the top flight at the end of last season.
David Moyes' side have enjoyed a strong start to life in the Championship, and much of that momentum can be traced back to their commanding 4-1 victory at St Mary's against Southampton last month. That result appears to have been the turning point in their campaign, with West Ham now unbeaten in five league matches and having won their last four fixtures in a row. They reached this stage of the competition by defeating Portsmouth and Southampton in the earlier rounds.
Fulham, meanwhile, arrive in east London under something of a cloud after a mixed start under new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The Spaniard's only win in charge so far came in the second round against AFC Wimbledon, and he has already signalled that he may make widespread changes to his starting lineup for this fixture. With an important Premier League fixture against Manchester United on the horizon, Arbeloa is understood to be balancing squad rotation with his stated priority of pushing Fulham into the fourth round of the competition.
History between the two clubs suggests a closely contested affair is likely. West Ham have come out on top in two of the last three meetings with Fulham, though the corresponding fixture last season did not go their way. On that occasion, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez struck a decisive blow just five minutes from time to snatch a win for the Cottagers.
Tonight's meeting represents a significant test for both clubs in different ways. For West Ham, it is a chance to prove that their upturn in Championship form can translate into results against higher-level opposition, and a deep run in the Carabao Cup would provide a welcome boost to a club still adjusting to life outside the Premier League. For Fulham, the match offers Arbeloa an opportunity to experiment with his squad while still keeping an eye on continued progression in the competition, even as he prepares his side for a demanding league schedule that includes the visit of Manchester United.
How to Watch
For fans in the United Kingdom, the match is being broadcast live on Sky Sports. Coverage begins at 7pm British Summer Time on Sky Sports+, ahead of a 7.45pm kick-off. Those with a Sky Sports subscription will also be able to stream the action live through the Sky Go app or website.
With both sides carrying momentum and motivation into this fixture — West Ham buoyed by their recent Championship form and Fulham seeking to build on their new head coach's tenure — this Carabao Cup tie promises to be an intriguing watch for supporters of both clubs, as well as neutral fans keen to see how West Ham are coping outside the Premier League and how Arbeloa's Fulham side is shaping up under its new leadership.
Based on reporting from Standard (football).