westhamfans.org

West Ham: From Randolph, Arbeloa, Masuaku, Ogbonna, Nordtveit, Obiang, Fernandes, Feghouli, Tore, Zaza, Calleri. Subs: Adrian,,Byram, Oxford, Payet, Lanzini, Antonio,Fletcher.
Accrington: Parish, Vyner, Pearson, Beckles, Donacien, Brown, Conneely, O'Sullivan, Clark, McConville, Kee Subs: Hughes Gornell, Jones, Boco, Lacey, Chapman, Eagles.
Noble, Kayoute, Collins and Reid missing from squad as Slaven rings the changes. Arbeloa and Fernandes make their Hammers debut. - Ed

Accrington Stanley visit West Ham United at the London Stadium for what will be a lively EFL cup tie, against the backdrop of doom and gloom surrounding Slaven Billic's side the visitors will hope to further compound the negativity by causing a cup upset. It is beyond doubt that the magnificence of the new stadium does make visiting teams raise their game, it is like playing at Wembley for all but a few and something that Hammers need to adapt to quickly.

In a way it is a back handed compliment that the schadenfreude usually reserved for when the Chelsea'a and the Manchester United's of this world are struggling, is associated with the goings on at little old West 'am. The reason for the inclusion in the nose bleed stakes is the general resentment that the cockney boys managed to blag a brand spanking new stadium. Add to that the humbling that Hammers dished out to several big teams last season, a fresh manager full of ideas and a really impressive squad.