West Ham have moved to the top of the Championship and they will try to maintain the feel-good factor when they take on Premier League strugglers Fulham in their EFL Cup third-round tie at the London Stadium on Tuesday.
Life in the Championship got off to a slow start for the Hammers, who took just two points from their opening three games.
But they have found their feet in recent weeks and delivered their most accomplished performance of the season on Friday, coasting to a 6-0 home win over Wrexham.
Progress in the knockout competitions is a lesser priority, although West Ham have overcome a couple of potentially tricky obstacles in the EFL Cup by winning 3-1 at home to Portsmouth and 4-1 away to Southampton.
Fulham entered this competition in the second round and took the first step forward with a routine 3-0 success at home to League One strugglers AFC Wimbledon.
The Cottagers are adjusting to a new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, and got off to a poor start in the Premier League with losses at home to Chelsea (2-3) and Crystal Palace (2-3) either side of a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.
However, there were positive signs at the weekend as Arbeloa's side travelled to Liverpool and achieved a well-deserved goalless draw.
Fulham's point on Merseyside was a major boost but they have a big few days coming up with this short trip to West Ham preceding Sunday's Premier League fixture at home to Manchester United.
West Ham United v Fulham Tips Summary
Best Bet - Fulham to win @ 13/10
Alternative Bet - Kenny Tete anytime assist @ 8/1
Bet Builder - Rodrigo Muniz to score anytime, Over 2 goals & Joachim Anderson to be carded @ 18/1
West Ham United v Fulham Prediction
Best Bet: Fulham to win @ 13/10
Fulham looked a lot more assured in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Liverpool and they can follow that up with a London derby success over West Ham, whose main focus is on the Championship promotion race.
Wholesale changes worked well for West Ham in the previous round, when they eased past Southampton.
But it could be a different story against the Cottagers, who were EFL Cup quarter-finalists last term and semi-finalists the season before.
Fulham are adapting to a front foot style of football and they demonstrated real signs of progress at Anfield, where they had more shots on target (four to three) and more touches in the opposition box (24 to 18).
They were close to pulling off a big result on Merseyside and will be tough opponents for the Hammers, who have been adjusting to a lower grade of football.
West Ham are going well in the Championship, but they are sure to have one eye on Saturday's fixture away to bitter rivals Millwall and may not be fully focused on their midweek assignment.
Alternative Bet: Kenny Tete anytime assist @ 8/1
Kenny Tete is yet to start a league game this season, but he is a vastly experienced attacking full-back and can show his quality against the Hammers.
The 30-year-old loves to get forward and can add to the assist he contributed against AFC Wimbledon in the previous round.
West Ham United v Fulham Bet Builder Tip
Rodrigo Muniz to score anytime
Over 2 goals
Joachim Anderson to be carded
Pays 18/1
Several Fulham fringe players will be eager to impress, including powerful centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz, who looks a solid bet to get on the scoresheet in a high-scoring success for the visiting side.
Muniz will be looking to force his way into the Premier League starting eleven and could flourish against a below full-strength Hammers defence.
Another Cottagers player eager to impress will be robust centre-back Joachim Andersen.
The Dane was carded in eight league games last season and looks an obvious caution candidate in what should be a feisty encounter.
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Key Match Stats
Fulham have won on two of their last three visits to the London Stadium
Each of Fulham's last three wins over West Ham have been accompanied by clean sheets
West Ham have kept only three clean sheets in their last 14 fixtures
Ten of West Ham's last 11 games have featured at least three goals
Four of West Ham's last six fixtures have produced at least five goals
Seven of West Ham's last nine matches have generated goals for both teams
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
