Lopetegui to recall star man to save his job – West Ham predicted XI v Leicester
Mohammed Kudus is expected to start as one of two changes as Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham face Leicester City on Tuesday.
Kudus is finally available for selection following a five-game ban in the wake of his red card against Tottenham and could come straight back into the XI alongside Alphonse Areola between the sticks.
Lucas Paqueta could drop out following his horror show of a first half in the Irons’ 5-2 defeat to Arsenal last time out, while Lukasz Fabianski will face a battle to keep his place in the side.
Any credit in the bank built up by Lopetegui in the Hammers’ 2-0 win at Newcastle on 25 November was obliterated by Arsenal at the London Stadium, putting pressure back on the Spaniard for Tuesday night.
Loeptegui to bring Mohammed Kudus in for West Ham v Leicester
Fabianski had done well to re-establish himself as the Irons’ number one, but after letting in almost every Arsenal effort that came at him, and conceding a penalty, Areola must surely return between the sticks.
The back four is expected to remain unchanged despite an injury worry for Jean-Clair Todibo, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson providing two rare bright spots with their quick-fire goals against Arsenal.
Soucek, another player who had justified his starting place with a goal at St. James’ Park, was overrun as the Irons’ only defensive-minded midfielder on Saturday, but will likely be given the benefit of the doubt.
Crysencio Summerville is likely to keep his place on the left flank – as is captain Jarrod Bowen on the right – but it’s through the middle where Lopetegui’s major change must come.
Paqueta’s form across the start of this season doesn’t warrant many more chances to start, and while Kudus has hardly covered himself in glory this term, his return can revitalise the entire Hammers team.
As a result, Carlos Soler will drop back into the double-pivot alongside Soucek, and with Kudus in the number 10 role, the Ghanaian could be the key to unlocking Leicester in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game.
Lopetegui revealing that Niclas Fullkrug is close to a return from injury could also help to turn the Irons’ fortunes around, but with that return still a week away, Michail Antonio remains the man up front.
In other West Ham news, one of Lopetegui’s biggest underachievers this season has been nominated for a prestigious FIFA award.
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