Burton vs West Ham

The Pirelli Stadium hosts a quintessential FA Cup mismatch this Saturday, February 14, 2026, as League One's Burton Albion welcomes Premier League side West Ham United for the Fourth Round. Kick-off is set for an early 12:15 GMT.

While the "Brewers" are looking to reach the Fifth Round for only the second time in their history, Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham travel to Staffordshire aiming to avoid a cup disaster while navigating a tight battle for Premier League survival.

Match Information

Burton Albion: Dreaming of a Giant-Killing

Under manager Gary Bowyer, Burton has enjoyed a prolific cup run, scoring 14 goals and conceding only once while dispatching non-league trio St Albans, Brackley Town, and Boreham Wood. However, their league form has been a struggle; they enter this tie winless in their last five matches, most recently drawing 2–2 with Port Vale.

Team News and Selection:

• Casualty List: Bowyer is missing several key figures. Dylan Williams and Julian Larsson are the latest casualties, while Charlie Webster and Finn Delap (son of Rory Delap) remain weeks away from a return.

• The "Lofthouse" Threat: Kyran Lofthouse is the man in form, having scored in his last two matches. He is set to make his 50th appearance for the club on Saturday.

• New Faces: Deadline Day signing Millar Matthews-Lewis could be handed a high-profile start or a significant role off the bench.

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Collins; Godwin-Malifé, Vancooten, Hartridge, Armer; Evans, McKiernan; Shade, Lofthouse, Revan; Beesley.

West Ham United: Top-Flight Focus vs. Cup Magic

The Hammers arrive in Burton in the midst of a grueling Premier League season where survival is the priority. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men have shown resilience lately, moving within three points of safety after a 2–1 win over Burnley. While they’d love a cup run, rotation is expected ahead of their critical midweek fixtures.

Team News and Selection:

• Cup Specialist: Taty Castellanos scored the extra-time winner against QPR in the last round and is expected to lead the line again.

• Midfield Changes: With James Ward-Prowse having recently departed the club, Tomas Soucek and Edson Álvarez will be vital in ensuring Burton don't win the physical battle in the center of the park.

• Keeper Rotation: Mads Hermansen, a summer signing from Leicester, is likely to start in goal to give the backline a Premier League backbone.

• Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hermansen; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Diouf; Soucek, Álvarez, Soler; Summerville, Castellanos, Bowen (or Guilherme).

? Head-to-Head (H2H) and Key Stats

• Historic First: This is the first-ever competitive meeting between Burton Albion and West Ham United.

• Brewers' Milestone: This is only the second time Burton has ever reached the FA Cup Fourth Round (the first was in 2011).

• The Giant-Killer Stat: While Burton has struggled in the league, they have scored in 7 consecutive matches, suggesting they have the tools to trouble a top-flight defense.

• Hammers Form: West Ham has won four of their last five matches across all competitions.

Tactical Preview and Prediction

The Pirelli Stadium is a tight, compact ground that can be intimidating for Premier League stars used to the London Stadium's expanse. Gary Bowyer will likely set Burton up to be aggressive from the start, hoping the early 12:15 kick-off catches the Hammers cold.

However, the technical gap is vast. West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville and Taty Castellanos possess the individual quality to exploit a Burton defense that has conceded in each of its last six games. If West Ham maintains their professional focus, their superior bench strength should see them through.

Final Score Prediction: Burton Albion 1–3 West Ham United