West Ham United

The Hammers will have spent plenty of time on the south coast in recent days, after they were beaten 1-0 in a hard-fought contest against high flying Southampton in their last outing.

Manager Sam Allardyce and his men came away from St Mary’s Stadium with not a point to their name, after Jos Hooiveld headed home from a simple set-piece for Southampton, leaving West Ham in fourth place in the Championship table.

A win over Brighton on Monday would push the Hammers (2/1 Championship outright) up into the automatic promotion places just behind the Saints, who were held by Reading to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

Considering the injury problems at Upton Park this term, it has been a credit to Allardyce’s men for sticking to their task and continuing to pick up points.

James Tomkins, Carlton Cole, Guy Demel, Gary O’Neil and keeper Robert Green have been joined by Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor on the extensive injury list that the Hammer’s boss has had to deal with.

A trip to the AMEX Stadium has been no easy task as many sides have found in the Championship so far, and with West Ham struggling for personnel, it poses a big challenge for the Londoners.

After a storming start to their campaign in England’s second tier, when the Seagulls were continuing their impressive form from last season, they have gone off the boil in recent outings.

Brighton have failed to pick up a win in their last six matches and now find themselves out of the playoff places in 12th position.

The south coast outfit only lost two games at home last season and have tasted defeat just once at the AMEX Stadium this term, while they have played some attractive football in front of their fans.

Scotland international striker Craig Mackail-Smith (6/1 first goalscorer) has carried on where he left off last season with Peterborough and has proved to be an exciting player to watch.

With five league goals to his name so far, the gifted forward will be someone the West Ham defence will have to look out for if they want to head back to the capital with any points.

Brighton boss Gus Poyet could be tempted to give a debut to Gonzalo Jara Reyes, who has joined the club on loan from Premier League outfit West Brom and may add some extra quality into the starting XI.

The Seagulls may have struggled in recent weeks but, at home and with West Ham struggling with injuries, Brighton might just edge this one and push up the Championship table.

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BRIGHTON V LIVERPOOL 7.45pm

Gus Poyet’s side have taken the Championship by storm this season following promotion from League One, although they tasted defeat for the first time in seven outings at Leicester City on Saturday.

However, the Seagulls have not lost a competitive game at their new Amex Stadium with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Sunderland being dumped out after extra-time there in the previous round.

And, with Kenny Dalglish’s side enduring an early season stutter following back-to-back defeats at Stoke and Tottenham, they could find the going tough on the south coast this week.

The Reds’ hopes will be boosted by the anticipated return of skipper Steven Gerrard (7/4 Anytime Goalscorer) following a six-month injury absence, but Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel are banned following red cards at Spurs in Sunday’s 4-0 defeat.

Daniel Agger is missing with a broken rib so Sebastian Coates could make his first start for the club.

The sides have not met for over 20 years when Liverpool edged a five-goal thriller in the FA Cup, but they could be in for a long night on this occasion if they are to reach round four.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 3/1
Value Bet: Brighton/Draw Half-Time/Full-Time @ 12/1

MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM 7.45pm

Holders Birmingham will have their work cut out to emulate a repeat success in 2012 as they look ahead to a daunting trip to face money-bags City at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues slipped out of the Premier League following the elation of defeating Arsenal at Wembley in February, while Chris Hughton has replaced Alex McLeish as manager.

Cash problems have seen several of last season’s cup heroes depart St Andrew’s and Hughton’s men have managed just two wins from their opening six games in the Championship.

They go to City on the back of a 4-1 thumping at Southampton and will do well to avoid a similar result as Hughton plans to make changes as his side struggle with the demands of domestic and Europa League football.

City will also be much-changed, but the likes of Owen Hargreaves (10/3 Anytime Goalscorer) could be called upon to make his debut for Roberto Mancini’s side, who should have too much for the visitors.

City have not lost in their previous 10 matches and have scored 17 goals in five league games so far this term so expect a few more in this game.

Prediction: Man City Home 90 Minutes @ 1/5
Value Bet: Man City 4-0 Correct Score @ 10/1

CHELSEA V FULHAM 7.45pm

A London derby at Stamford Bridge will see Andre Villas-Boas getting his first taste of cup football in England and it is likely that, while he will have his sights set on lifting the trophy (11/2 Outright), he will make some alterations to his side from the one that lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday.

That said, Didier Drogba (10/3 First/Last Goalscorer) is expected to return to action to spear-head the Blues’ forward line.

Fulham will also be depleted as Aaron Hughes, Andrew Johnson and Bobby Zamora look set to all miss out, although £10.6million summer signing Bryan Ruiz could feature.

Fulham have not got past this stage since the 2004-05 season and, with Chelsea enjoying a superior head-to-head record, everything points to a home win.

Prediction: Chelsea Home 90 Minutes @ 3/10
Value Bet: Drogba, D 1st Goal Chelsea 2-0 @ 14/1

Meanwhile, in Wednesday’s three other games, Premier League rivals Everton and West Brom go up against each other at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ Toffees (4/6 Home) have won five of their last seven home games, while Roy Hodgson’s Baggies (9/2 Away) might sit bottom of the Premier League table, but they have only lost three of their last 10 on the road in all competitions.

The return of Louis Saha to the Everton forward line might prove the difference, but this tie is expected to go the distance (13/5 Draw).

Championship leaders Southampton (4/7 Home) should have no trouble in accounting for League One outfit Preston (5/1 Away) at St Mary’s, but a tight game is in store (12/5 Draw) in South Wales when Cardiff (11/8 Home) face Championship rivals Leicester City (19/10 Away) at the Cardiff City Stadium.

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