West Ham face Fulham at London Stadium on Tuesday night for a place in the next round of the EFL Cup, and the home side arrive in far better attacking form. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have won their last four league matches, scoring 16 goals in the process, and followed a 4-2 win over Wolves with emphatic victories over Derby, Bolton and Wrexham.
The standout result was Friday’s 6-0 win over Wrexham, when six different West Ham players found the net. Jarrod Bowen, Joël Piroe, Valentín Castellanos and Manor Solomon were all involved in the attacking display, while the Hammers also recorded a second straight home clean sheet.
Fulham should not be dismissed after their disciplined 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Saturday. Álvaro Arbeloa’s side defended well at Anfield and carried a threat on the break, but they are still waiting for a first Premier League win of the season and could make major changes after rotating heavily in the previous round.
West Ham look stronger at the moment and have the momentum, the attacking depth and home form to make the difference. Our prediction is West Ham 2-1 Fulham, with West Ham to Win at odds of 3.30 our best bet.
Quick Prediction
Best Bet: West Ham to Win
Market: Match Winner
Correct Score Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Fulham
Odds: 3.30
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Expected Goals: Over 2.5 Goals
Both Teams To Score: Yes
📅 Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
🏟️ Venue: London Stadium
🏆 Competition: EFL Cup
Match Preview
West Ham have made an excellent start to life in the Championship following last season’s relegation. They sit top after seven league games, with four wins, two draws and one defeat, and their run of four successive league victories has been built on a front-foot approach under Nuno.
The 4-4-2 has given West Ham a clear shape. Piroe and Castellanos stretch the centre-backs and link play in the final third, while Bowen and Solomon attack from wide areas. Bowen has scored four goals in his last three league appearances, Piroe has scored in three recent matches and Castellanos returned to the side against Wrexham with a goal and an assist.
There is quality behind the forwards too. Divine Mukasa has brought energy and invention from midfield, including two goals against Wolves, while Arne Engels adds passing range and a real set-piece threat. Mavropanos has scored in each of his last three appearances, showing why Fulham cannot afford to give away cheap free-kicks or corners.
West Ham’s home record is particularly encouraging. They have won four of five competitive matches at London Stadium this season, scoring 17 times, and every one of those games has gone over 2.5 goals. The two latest home performances, a 3-0 win over Derby and the Wrexham rout, also showed a much tighter side without the ball.
Fulham’s first point under Arbeloa came from the 0-0 draw at Liverpool, which was a useful response after three league defeats. Bernd Leno made an important save, Calvin Bassey helped keep the back line together and the visitors created late chances through Josh King, Gonzalo García and Rodrigo Muniz.
Arbeloa has used a 4-2-3-1 in every competitive match so far. Sander Berge and Shea Charles gave Fulham more control at Anfield, with King operating behind García and Oscar Bobb and Alex Iwobi supplying movement from the wide areas. Robinson’s overlapping runs can also be a problem, especially if West Ham leave space behind Bowen.
That Liverpool result should give Fulham confidence, but this is a different test. Their league start has still included defeats to Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace, and they conceded three goals in both of their home losses against Chelsea and Palace. With Manchester United due at Craven Cottage on Sunday, Arbeloa also has a difficult decision over how much to rotate.
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Why West Ham to Win Makes Sense
At 3.30, West Ham to Win is the standout price. This is not simply a case of backing the home side because they have been scoring freely; the price looks generous when their current level, home record and Fulham’s likely rotation are put together.
Nuno has a settled attacking group and West Ham have several ways to hurt Fulham. Bowen is arriving in scoring areas from the right, Solomon offers direct running on the other side, and Piroe and Castellanos have formed a productive partnership up front. Engels’ delivery also gives Mavropanos, Kilman and the other centre-backs chances from dead balls.
Fulham proved at Anfield that they can defend with discipline, so West Ham should not expect another six-goal evening. However, Fulham changed 10 players for the 3-0 EFL Cup win over AFC Wimbledon, and a rotated defence would face a West Ham attack that has scored 27 goals in nine competitive matches this season.
The main risk is that Fulham carry enough pace and quality to score. King has already scored twice in the league, while García, Muniz, Kevin and Smith Rowe give Arbeloa useful alternatives. But West Ham have looked sharp at London Stadium and should create enough to edge a competitive tie.
From a betting point of view, the straight West Ham win is worth taking at this price. Fulham may keep the game close, but the Hammers have more rhythm and more proven attacking form heading into the match.
- ✓West Ham have won their last four league matches.
- ✓West Ham scored 16 goals across those four league wins.
- ✓West Ham have won four of five competitive home matches this season.
- ✓All five of West Ham's home matches this season have produced Over 2.5 Goals.
- ✓Fulham drew 0-0 at Liverpool in their latest match.
- ✓Fulham made 10 changes for their previous EFL Cup tie.
- ✓West Ham won the latest meeting 1-0 in March 2026.
- ✓Fulham have not scored in either away match this season.
Team News
West Ham’s main concern is Joël Veltman, who was forced off after 30 minutes against Wrexham. Kyle Walker-Peters replaced him and immediately made his case to start by providing two assists. Mads Hermansen should continue in goal, while Kilman, Mavropanos and Morato are likely to remain important at the back.
Piroe and Castellanos could again lead the line, although Nuno has options to freshen things up. Mohamadou Kanté came off the bench to score against Wrexham, while Edvin Austbø, Ollie Scarles, Adama Boiro, Lewis Orford and Pablo are among the players who could come into contention. Tomáš Souček, Edson Álvarez, Maxwel Cornet and Soungoutou Magassa were absent from the Wrexham squad.
Fulham’s selection is harder to call because Arbeloa made 10 changes for the second-round win over AFC Wimbledon. Lecomte, Tete, Andersen, Reed, Smith Rowe, Kevin and Muniz all started that night and could be used again, although the manager may retain some of the players who impressed at Liverpool.
Leno, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Shea Charles, King, Iwobi and García all played at Anfield. Hugo Larsson and Manuel Ángel were also in the matchday squad, while Affengruber made his Fulham debut. Tom Cairney has not featured in the recent squads.
Possible Starting Lineups
West Ham Possible XI
Mads Hermansen; Kyle Walker-Peters; Konstantinos Mavropanos; Max Kilman; Morato; Jarrod Bowen; Divine Mukasa; Arne Engels; Manor Solomon; Joël Piroe; Valentín Castellanos
Fulham Possible XI
Benjamin Lecomte; Kenny Tete; Joachim Andersen; Luc de Fougerolles; Ryan Sessegnon; Harrison Reed; Hugo Larsson; Kevin; Emile Smith Rowe; Oscar Bobb; Rodrigo Muniz
Players to Watch
Jarrod Bowen — West Ham
Bowen is in excellent scoring form after netting four times in his last three league games. His movement from the right and willingness to attack the far post make him West Ham’s most reliable match-winner.
Valentín Castellanos — West Ham
Castellanos scored and assisted against Wrexham after returning to the starting side. His mobility alongside Piroe can make life awkward for a Fulham defence that may be changed from the Liverpool draw.
Josh King — Fulham
King has started every league game and already has two Premier League goals. He was involved in Fulham’s best moments at Anfield and is the player most likely to find space between West Ham’s midfield and defence.
Rodrigo Muniz — Fulham
Muniz scored in the previous EFL Cup round and had a late chance at Liverpool. If Arbeloa rotates García out, Muniz has the physical presence to give Fulham a proper focal point away from home.
Head-to-Head
West Ham won the most recent meeting 1-0 at Fulham in March 2026. Fulham won 1-0 at London Stadium in December 2025, though the scorer that day, Raúl Jiménez, has since left the club. The previous meeting in east London ended in a 3-2 West Ham win in January 2025, so recent games at this ground have been closely fought.
Final Verdict
West Ham are playing with confidence, scoring heavily and getting important contributions from all over the pitch. Their four-match league winning run has been built on sharp attacking football, while the home performances against Derby and Wrexham showed that the defence can keep control as well.
Fulham’s draw at Liverpool was a step forward and their counter-attacking players are capable of making this uncomfortable. The concern is whether a likely changed side can match West Ham’s intensity for 90 minutes at London Stadium.
At 3.30, West Ham to Win remains the call. Expect Fulham to have moments, but the Hammers should have enough firepower to progress with a 2-1 victory.
FreeOddsTips Prediction
West Ham’s recent attacking form makes them the team to back, particularly with Fulham expected to weigh up changes after the demanding draw at Liverpool. Fulham can contribute to an open contest, but Nuno’s side have the greater momentum and should find a way through.
Best Bet: West Ham to Win
Odds: 3.30
Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Correct Score: West Ham 2-1 Fulham
