West Ham Online

What can one say?

FA Cup madness is once again upon us with an almost guaranteed command from the narcissistic midget to throw our tie. More of that later. Best I can offer is a stats' based assessment on the games, but, what the heck?

Friday, 9 January 2026 19:30
Milton Keynes Dons v Oxford United
Venue: Stadium mk
League Positions: 73 v 43
Current Forms: 17 v 13

Home team has the better form, but not better enough to conquer their hosts.

Prediction: Away Win


Friday, 9 January 2026 19:30
Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
Venue: Vale Park
League Positions: 68 v 81
Current Forms: 16 v 13

Home team have home advantage, league position & current form (just) in their favour.

Prediction: Home Win


Friday, 9 January 2026 19:30
Preston North End v Wigan Athletic
Venue: Deepdale
League Positions: 24 v 59
Current Forms: 23 v 13

Again the 3 main drivers/hints suggest that Wigan won't be in the draw for the next round.

Prediction: Home Win


Friday, 9 January 2026 19:30
Wrexham v Nottingham Forest
Venue: Racecourse Ground
League Positions: 29 v 17
Current Forms: 37 v 15

The first dilemma (for me, at least). Wrexham are storming it, Forest are just about holding their own. This could be the first "upset" of the weekend.

Prediction:  Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 12:15
Cheltenham Town v Leicester City
Venue: Whaddon Road
League Positions: 86 v 32
Current Forms: 24 v 15

I don't think current form or home advantage  will play a part here: the divisional gulf will be enough.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 12:15
Everton v Sunderland
Venue: Goodison Park
League Positions: 12 v 10
Current Forms: 16 v 10

Now, now, now. An all-Premiership tie where the stats may well play a part. But then they may not. I think that Everton are stuttering somewhat and Sunderland are showing more fight. On that assumption:

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 12:15
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
Venue: Moss Rose
League Positions: 130 v 13
Current Forms: 12 v 8

You know this is going only one way; no sniff of a giant killing here - this is not the game you're looking for.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 12:15
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
Venue: Molineux
League Positions: 20 v 90
Current Forms: 20 v 1

Wolves seem to be on a spark of revival at the moment, and Shrewsbury can't buy a victory. All points to a:

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Boreham Wood v Burton Albion
Venue: Meadow Park
League Positions: 94 v 65
Current Forms: 45 v 6

When two sprats fight. Wood are steaming at the moment and should will be far too strong for their guests.

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Burnley v Millwall
Venue: Turf Moor
League Positions: 19 v 25
Current Forms: 8 v 20

You'd have put your house on a Premier League team coming out on top, at home, against a visiting Championship team. Luckily I no longer have a house to put, which is probably just as well. If there are no other upsets in this round of games, this could be the headline grabber.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea
Venue: The Valley
League Positions: 39 v 8
Current Forms: 12 v 8

This is another of those games that I can see going only one way. Both teams are pretty "meh!" when it comes to current form, but I believe Chelsea will have far too much about them to prevent them strolling into the next round.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Doncaster Rovers v Southampton
Venue: Keepmoat Stadium
League Positions: 67 v 35
Current Forms: 0 v 11

One look at the stats will tell you all you need to know.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Fulham v Middlesbrough
Venue: Craven Cottage
League Positions: 9 v 22
Current Forms: 31 v 6

'borough are not firing on all cylinders at the moment, Fulham are ratching up more wins, so:

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Ipswich Town v Blackpool
Venue: Portman Road
League Positions: 23 v 62
Current Forms: 31 v 18

I made 90 quid when Ipswich lost to Maidstone in the cup a while back (crazy bet). Can't see a repeat here though, League difference, home advantage & current form all say (not scream, but say):

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Manchester City v Exeter City
Venue: The Etihad Stadium
League Positions: 2 v 58
Current Forms: 21 v 20

This ain't going any other way than a:

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Newcastle United v A. F. C. Bournemouth
Venue: St James' Park
League Positions: 7 v 15
Current Forms: 37 v 19

Another all-Premier league tie. It should be Newcastle's to lose but I don't think that they will:

Prediction: Home Win

Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Salford City v Swindon Town
Venue: Moor Lane
League Positions: 72 v 70
Current Forms: 37 v 36

Do you care? Do I care? Whatever the result ,waves won't be created, headlines won't be generated. I suspect penalties may play a part in a:

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford
Venue: Hillsborough Stadium
League Positions: 44 v 5
Current Forms: 7 v 39

Brentford are on fire. Wednesday look like they're about to do a "Titanic". One way, and one way only:

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 15:00
Stoke City v Coventry City
Venue: Britannia Stadium
League Positions: 28 v 21
Current Forms: 21 v 17

Anyone fancy a portion of midlands mediocrity? Well, step right up! this is the game for you! Let's be frank, Coventry won't be in the next round.

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 17:45
Bristol City v Watford
Venue: Ashton Gate
League Positions: 30 v 26
Current Forms: 30 v 39

Now. This is a tie to call. Really. I can't work out how this will go. Home advantage, probably, but that's all I can say.

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 17:45
Cambridge United v Birmingham City
Venue: Abbey Stadium
League Positions: 74 v 34
Current Forms: 37 v 8

Cambridge are cooking on gas at the moment, but I can't see that or home advantage helping much.

Prediction: Away Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 17:45
Grimsby Town v Weston-super-Mare
Venue: Blundell Park
League Positions: 80 v 142
Current Forms: 30 v 33

Well, the "glamour" of the FA Cup gave this tie a miss. How much better would it have been for either team to have drawn one of the "big boys" at home? 

Prediction: Home Win


Saturday, 10 January 2026 17:45
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
League Positions: 14 v 3
Current Forms: 13 v 26

Aha! Another all Prem. tie. I smell the scent of a Villa victory here. So it is written, so it shall be.

Prediction: Away Win

Sunday, 11 January 2026 12:00
Derby County v Leeds United
Venue: Pride Park Stadium
League Positions: 33 v 16
Current Forms: 23 v 12

Derby are a bit "hot & cold" at the moment. Leeds are fighting. I thing the thermometer loses.

Prediction: Away Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:00
Portsmouth v Arsenal
Venue: Fratton Park
League Positions: 41 v 1
Current Forms: 28 v 35

Arsenal are going to be livid at not putting Liverpool to the sword; Portsmouth may well get right into their faces, but whatever happens, the Gunners will prevail.

Prediction: Away Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:30
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
Venue: KC Stadium
League Positions: 27 v 40
Current Forms: 37 v 13

Hmmm. Not much to say about this one. Think home advantage will tell.

Prediction: Home Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:30
Norwich City v Walsall
Venue: Carrow Road
League Positions: 42 v 71
Current Forms: 29 v 20

Again, two teams that I've not followed. The hosts seem to be holding all the stats cards.

Prediction: Home Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:30
Sheffield United v Mansfield Town
Venue: Bramall Lane
League Positions: 36 v 55
Current Forms: 25 v 38

Got a not-so-irrational dislike for The Blades, but, sadly, cannot see them being blunted in this game.

Prediction: Home Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:30
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Venue: Liberty Stadium
League Positions: 37 v 38
Current Forms: 33 v 15

An All Championship tie, I believe. Don't really care but suspect Albion will go home as losers.

Prediction: Home Win


Sunday, 11 January 2026 14:30
West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers
Venue: The London Stadium
League Positions: 18 v 31
Current Forms: 3 v 9

Now, THIS is the tie that matters. We're on an absolute shit run, but QPR are not that much better in that respect. We're a PL scalp ready to make the headlines. I think ...OK, hope... that we'll get our act together and make a game of it. Will we win? I think so, but it won't be easy or a pleasant watch Still, in full-on West Ham optimism (and with our chairman spitting blood):

Prediction: Home Win


Thursday, 8 January 2026 15:00
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Venue: Old Trafford
League Positions: 6 v 11
Current Forms: 18 v 21

Now. My personal view is that Man U are only where they are in the league due to a run of fortuitous games; they're really not that good at all. The Seagulls are only slightly better than their hosts, but they're playing a team who's home advantage is not much better than ours. Sneaky:

Prediction: Away Win


Monday, 12 January 2026 19:45
Liverpool v Barnsley
Venue: Anfield
League Positions: 4 v 61
Current Forms: 21 v 8

You know where this is going: Probably the first tie out of the draw behind the scenes, whatever they showed on tele. A tie that helps the "authorities" guarantee Liverpool are in Europe next season. Watch this space - and the draw for the next round.

Prediction: Home Win

---

As for an acca? Caution? May I introduce Wind. Wind? May I introduce Caution. Catch and treat it as you will.

Exeter (Away @ Manchester City)
Macclesfield  (@ home to Crystal Palace)
Barnsley (Away @ Liverpool)
Portsmouth (@ Home to Arsenal)
Shrewsbury (Away @ Wolves)

Total stake: £11.00
Potential returns: £926,020.50

 

Sydney_Iron wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026, 20:34 They are calling the Macclesfield win over Palace the biggest FA Cup upset in the comps history?

Suppose it has to be up there but not like Palace are a "big" club but as holders it is a surprise result!

Do remember some from my yoof, Hereford beating Newcastle or Wrexham beating Arsenal but nice to see the Cup can still produce a shock or 2 in this age of big business! 

And Spurs out early, that's always a bonus

 

Sydney_Iron wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026, 20:34 They are calling the Macclesfield win over Palace the biggest FA Cup upset in the comps history?

Suppose it has to be up there but not like Palace are a "big" club but as holders it is a surprise result!

Do remember some from my yoof, Hereford beating Newcastle or Wrexham beating Arsenal but nice to see the Cup can still produce a shock or 2 in this age of big business! 

And Spurs out early, that's always a bonus

 

They are calling the Macclesfield win over Palace the biggest FA Cup upset in the comps history?

Suppose it has to be up there but not like Palace are a "big" club but as holders it is a surprise result!

Do remember some from my yoof, Hereford beating Newcastle or Wrexham beating Arsenal but nice to see the Cup can still produce a shock or 2 in this age of big business! 

And Spurs out early, that's always a bonus
 

Liam Rosenior won't last the season.

No sacking at Tottenham tonight

Thomas ‘Anne’ Frank is hiding in a secret compartment in the cheese room

twoleftfeet wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026, 19:24 Earthy with an assist. 

Whatever happens tomorrow we have lasted longer in the cup than Spurs

Earthy with an assist. 

Respect to Spurs, they’ve turned up second half. 

What Spurs and Frank need is a game against us.

Oh hang on. 

Villa are a damn good side.  All going wrong at Spurs.  

2-0 Villa
Thomas Wank Wank Wank
Sacked in the morning 

At least Earthy looks to be going through to the next Round with his new Team.

Just like no manager can get anything going at ours, Frank looked good at Brentford and now so does Andrews... Just goes to show having a proper infrastructure and an ethos is probably more important than how good the manager is...

Must say, that is a classy Sp*rs kit.

Got to laugh at Spurs. Thomas “ Wank “

I know this isn't the right place, but have two tickets for tomorrow in the Billy Bonds Stand going free. If anyone wants them let me know.

twoleftfeet wrote: ↑10 Jan 2026, 12:54 Moyes isn’t a fan of the FA cup is he

Get in Tavernier 

Could have done with Newcastle losing. 

The Macc Lads are having a party!

for you Moyes fanboys... obviously Sunderland understood the meaning of 'be careful what you wish for'.

Going well for Millwall.

Justice done. Everton's penalty in normal time wasn't so much soft as bent