West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Fulham's crest in a circular frame inset

Nuno Espirito Santo and Fulham crestImago/Fulham on X

West Ham vs Fulham preview: Team News, opposition lowdown and score prediction

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture

Published on:

14 Sep 2026, 7:10 am

West Ham United clash with Fulham in an all-London Carabao Cup tie on Tuesday night.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side have been emphatically putting their slow start to 2026-27 behind them in recent games.

It's now four Championship wins on the bounce for the Hammers, with Wrexham demolished to the tune of six goals to nil last time out.

Confidence is flowing in the Irons' camp as a result, and thus there will be no fear at the arrival of Premier League Fulham on Tuesday.

The Cottagers are sitting 18th in the Premier League and winless from their opening four games, with pressure already mounting on Alvaro Arbeloa.

Ahead of this third-round Carabao Cup tie, West Ham Zone has you covered with everything you need to know.

Fulham: What can West Ham expect from Premier League strugglers?

They may well be having a hard time of things in the Premier League, but Fulham won't be pushovers for West Ham.

Arbeloa's side actually average the seventh-highest possession per game in the top flight this term with 57.3 per cent, as per FotMob.

Meanwhile, no team covers more distance per game than their 118.9 kilometres.

Only Man City (599.3), Brighton (532.8) and Manchester United (493.3) play more accurate passes per game than Fulham's 483.3 this term as well.

Their man danger West Ham must watch out for is 19-year-old attacking midfielder Joshua King.

He's already got two goals from four Premier League games this season, and looks to be a young player with a very bright future ahead of him.

So, what is the latest team news from both camps ahead of Tuesday night's 7:45pm kick-off?

Three things Nuno Espirito Santo must show West Ham fans in Carabao Cup clash vs Fulham

Fulham injury latest pre-West Ham tie

Starting with West Ham, Nuno is likely to be without two first-team players for Fulham.

Joel Veltman is nursing a muscle problem and is a major doubt to be involved.

Meanwhile, Tomas Soucek hasn't kicked a ball in anger for the Irons this season, and that looks unlikely to change on Tuesday night.

As for the visitors, their only injury concern is Tom Cairney, with the veteran midfielder also not having played a minute in 2026-27.

The 35-year-old is dealing with a knee injury, and won't be fit to play any part at the London Stadium.

So, how do we see this one playing out in E20?

We say: West Ham 2-2 Fulham (WHU win on pens)

Cup ties, often with rotated starting XIs, always threaten to produce some brilliant games of football.

We think another one is in store when West Ham take on Fulham on Tuesday evening.

West Ham's strong form and Fulham's desperation to find another win ASAP sets this one up to be a high-scoring affair.

Fulham have scored two or more goals in three of their five competitive games this season, whilst the Hammers only netted fewer than three in a single game three times this term.

We're predicting the game finishes 2-2 after 90 minutes, before Nuno's side emerge victorious via a penalty shootout.

Tomas Soucek