AFC Wimbledon v West Ham preview: Visitors pinning hopes on cup run

Manuel Pellegrini is targeting an FA Cup run as West Ham prepare to visit League One side AFC Wimbledon in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Hammers have not lifted a trophy in 39 years and, sat in mid-table with neither Europe or relegation on the agenda this season, they are focused on reaching the latter stages.

"I think that all the teams, when you start the competition, must have that winning mentality and think that you can do it," added Pellegrini.

"It is a different competition, one-off games, so anything can happen. Of course, we want to try and continue as far as we can. We are not thinking about winning it, when you want to win something you must go game by game. We must try to continue for the next round.

"You always need a little bit of luck in the draw, now we must take it step by step."

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Team news

AFC Wimbledon could welcome back Kwesi Appiah.

The six-goal striker, who hit the last-minute winner in the third round against Fleetwood, has trained this week following a hamstring injury.

Former Charlton midfielder Scott Wagstaff is also fit after a calf injury but Rod McDonald and James Hanson are set to miss out again, while on-loan full-back Steve Seddon is cup-tied.

Ryan Fredericks is back in the West Ham squad after three months out with a calf problem.

Back-up keeper Adrian will start in goal while youngsters Xande Silva and Grady Diangana are also set to feature.

It remains to be seen whether striker Marko Arnautovic will be involved amid continued speculation about his future.

Jack Wilshere, Fabian Balbuena, Andriy Yarmolenko, Manuel Lanzini, Winston Reid and Carlos Sanchez are still out injured.

Opta stats

• AFC Wimbledon and West Ham have met once previously, with the Hammers winning 3-1 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in the League Cup second round this season.
• West Ham are looking to eliminate an opponent from both the FA Cup and League Cup in the same season for the first time since 2000-01, when they did so against Walsall.
• This is AFC Wimbledon's first FA Cup fourth round tie since their reformation in 2002 - they've lost all their previous two FA Cup meetings with Premier League opposition (2014-15 vs Liverpool and 2017-18 vs Spurs).
• West Ham have been eliminated from two of their last four FA Cup ties against League One teams, losing 0-2 at Wigan Athletic in the fourth round last season.
• Against non-Premier League sides in the FA Cup and League Cup combined, West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass has been involved in 24 goals in 18 appearances (10 goals, 14 assists).

Merson's predictions

I see no problems for West Ham here. They are in a position to have a real push in this competition.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

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