Match Progress
6 min: Burton Albion create a half-chance as Kyran Lofthouse advances down the right flank and delivers a cross into West Ham's penalty area. Tyrese Shade attempts a shot but fails to direct the ball on target.
5 min: West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola clears the ball long along the right touchline. Adama Traore struggles to keep the ball in play, resulting in a throw-in for Burton.
4 min: Burton employ a direct, Route One style attack, but West Ham captain Konstantinos Mavropanos wins the aerial duel as the ball descends.
3 min: West Ham move the ball wide to Kyle Walker-Peters in an advanced position but are pushed back. Burton secure a throw-in near the halfway line.
2 min: Areola launches a long clearance, but Burton regain possession. Shortly after, the ball returns to Burton goalkeeper Bradley Collins, who receives a pass from Terence Vancooten.
1 min: Burton kick off the match, with midfielder and Northern Ireland youth international JJ McKeirnan initiating play.
Pre-Match Events
A groundsman is summoned to repair a tear in one of the goal nets before kick-off. During these repairs, a plane flies over the stadium trailing a protest banner urging David Sullivan and Karren Brady to leave West Ham.
The match is set on a sunny Valentine’s Day in Staffordshire at the compact Pirelli Stadium. West Ham aim to progress comfortably, while Burton seek to reach the fifth round for the first time in their history. Kick-off is imminent.
Match Officials
Referee: Lewis Smith
Assistant referees: Alex James and Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth official: Anthony Backhouse
Note that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology is not in use for this season's FA Cup until the fifth round.
Gary Bowyer: "The players must think I'm bonkers"
Burton Albion manager Gary Bowyer employs eccentric and unconventional methods designed to foster enjoyment alongside results. This afternoon, his focus is on West Ham.
"The players must think I'm bonkers," Bowyer remarked, highlighting his unique approach.
Nuno Espirito Santo: "We're going to compete"
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo expressed enthusiasm for the competition.
"It’s a beautiful competition," said Nuno Espirito Santo. "We’re going to compete, we’re going to try and go through. The cup is always a good chance to give minutes to players who don’t get many, for them to improve - we will need them further ahead."
In a significant selection decision, Nuno has made 10 changes to the team, resting key players such as Jarrod Bowen, Thomas Soucek, Mateus Fernandes, and Taty Castellanos for the weekend. This gamble has led to speculation about the potential for an upset.
Addressing concerns, Nuno stated to TNT Sports:
"I don’t consider it a risk. I consider it a good opportunity and a good chance for players who are not usually starting the games to add minutes, to get ready and to enjoy the game and go through the next round."
Team Line-Ups
Gary Bowyer makes one change from the previous match against Port Vale, with Jack Armer replacing Alex Hartridge in defence.
Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham side features 10 changes from the recent draw against Manchester United. Jarrod Bowen is rested and does not feature in the matchday squad. Konstantinos Mavropanos is the sole player retained from Tuesday’s match. January signing Keiber Lamadrid makes his debut, while Mohamadou Kante and Adama Traore start their first matches for the club.
Burton Albion
Collins, Godwin-Malife, Armer, Vancooten, Revan, Lofthouse, Evans, McKiernan, Shade, Beesley, Krubally
Subs: Dudek, Chauke, Sibbick, Tavares, Moon, Sraha, Larsson, Adom, Cannon
West Ham United
Areola, Mavropanos, Mayers, Kilman, Walker-Peters, Magassa, Kante, Lamadrid, Scarles, Traore, Wilson
Subs: Herrick, Disasi, Summerville, Taty, Diouf, Wan-Bissaka, Potts, Orford, Ajala
Early Team News
Burton midfielder Charlie Webster is recovering from ankle surgery and is unavailable, along with Dylan Williams and Julian Larsson. Midfielder Kgaogelo “Kegs” Chauke was doubtful but may be fit. Tyrese Shade, with five goals in two FA Cup matches this season, aims to extend his tally against higher-level opposition. Portuguese striker Fabio Tavares, who has scored three goals in three FA Cup appearances, may start alongside him.
West Ham prioritize Premier League survival, prompting Nuno to field several fringe players. Areola is confirmed to start in goal. January signing Pablo Felipe remains sidelined indefinitely, while Jean-Clair Todibo serves the final game of a three-match suspension following a red card against Chelsea.
FA Cup Fourth Round Context
This match marks the first competitive encounter between Burton Albion and West Ham United. Burton become the 150th different club West Ham have faced in all competitions. The teams are separated by 47 league places and both are battling relegation in their respective divisions.
Burton, currently just above the relegation zone in League One, have scored 14 goals in this season’s FA Cup, having defeated St Albans City, Brackley Town, and Boreham Wood. West Ham reached the fourth round after a 2-1 victory over QPR at the London Stadium.
West Ham enter the match on a positive run, though still stinging from conceding a late equalizer against Manchester United recently. Burton have not won in five matches but managed a draw against Port Vale last time out.
Despite freezing weather forecasts, the pitch has been protected by a heat blanket for several days, ensuring the game proceeds as scheduled. Kick-off at the Pirelli Stadium is set for 12:15 pm, with ongoing team news and build-up coverage.
