WEST HAM will be hoping to build on their recent win when they welcome Derby to the London Stadium today – but it will NOT be broadcast live on TV.
SunSport can provide football fans with the answer as to why this is happening.
Why is West Ham vs Derby not on TV?
The fixture will not be broadcast live on television in the UK. This is because of the long-standing Saturday 3pm blackout rule, which prevents live football from being shown on television between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturdays.
And West Ham vs Derby is scheduled to get underway at 3pm.
The blackout rule is designed to protect matchday attendances and participation at lower-league and grassroots levels.
Sky Sports has selected other Championship matches for live coverage on Saturday September 5, including Preston North End vs Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City vs Charlton Athletic, but these are lunchtime kick-offs.
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What is the team news?
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns following his team’s 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
Midfielder Tomas Soucek remains the most notable absentee for the home side.
Soucek is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury he suffered while playing for Czechia at the World Cup in June.
Forward Pablo Felipe is also ruled out of the fixture with a calf injury.
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Nuno could hand debuts to left-back Adama Boiro and centre-back Morato, who both arrived at the club before the transfer deadline.
Midfielder Divine Mukasa is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up after scoring twice against Wolves.
Derby County manager John Eustace is dealing with a significant injury list ahead of the trip to London.
Veteran defender Craig Forsyth has been ruled out for several months after suffering a knee injury during the recent 2-0 win at Portsmouth.
Eustace confirmed the defender will see a specialist, saying: “He’s in a bit of a bad way. He’s had a scan on his knee. It doesn’t look good.”
Derby captain Lewis Travis is also unavailable for the match. The midfielder is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks with an injury.
The visitors will also be without Carlton Morris, Matt Clarke, Derry Murkin and Patrick Agyemang.
However, Eustace can call upon deadline day signings Eiran Cashin, Mohammed Fuseini and David Ozoh, who are all available to make their debuts.