As I predicted, it was an even game against Swansea, a draw, no goals, a stalemate. Once again our solid defensive work is making up for our severe lack-luster front line, and now, we've lost Vaz Te as well. Fingers crossed we will have just about enough to take us through another round tonight.
We avoided the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City in the fourth-round draw but a trip to Turf Moor will not be as easy as paper would suggest. Burnley are currently flying high at the top of the Sky Bet Championship and are yet to lose on their own patch this season.
There’s no doubt about it, Burnley are on a roll and it would come as no surprise to anyone if they turned us over tonight. They beat QPR on Saturday and lead the Championship by five points, which at this stage of the season is quite an achievement.
The man to watch is Danny Ings, West Ham's defense will have to be on top form to keep the young Burnley striker quiet tonight.
West Ham will be without Ricardo Vaz Te after the Portuguese striker suffered a dislocated shoulder at Swansea on Sunday.
He joins Andy Carroll, Alou Diara and James Collins on the sidelines.
Carlton Cole could start in attack for the first time since he re-signed for the Hammers while fringe players Matt Taylor, George McCartney, Leo Chambers and Jack Collison - who has returned from a loan spell at Bournemouth - will also be in contention.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche will hand late fitness tests to midfield duo Scott Arfield and Dean Marney ahead of tonight's Capital One Cup clash.
Marney was taken off in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-0 victory over QPR after sustaining injury, while Arfield missed the clash altogether with a groin problem. Both players will be monitored ahead of kick-off.
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder David Jones picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign on Saturday and will serve a one-match ban while former Hammers man Junior Stanislas is in contention to be brought into the side to face his old club.
It’s the battle of the claret and blues at Turf Moor.
I predict a 2-1 win taking us into the quarters, but it will come in extra time.
COYI
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