WHZ View: Ogbonna out, Diop in – West Ham predicted XI v Sheffield Utd
West Ham host the Premier League’s bottom side Sheffield United on Monday evening at the London Stadium.
The Hammers will be looking to pick up three points after last weekend’s goalless draw with Fulham, followed by the FA Cup exit to Manchester United.
Our visitors are aiming to get off the foot of the table for the first time since November. Chris Wilder’s side have won six of their last nine in all competitions, including a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
With that in mind, West Ham Zone predict David Moyes to name a strong XI to face the Blades, despite some injury concerns.
In goal will be our number one Lukasz Fabianski. He kept his 70th Premier League clean sheet at Craven Cottage, and was fantastic at Old Trafford in the week.
Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell should start at right and left-back for the home side. Our full-backs are having excellent campaigns so far and should recover in time having both played 120 minutes in the FA Cup.
Craig Dawson will likely partner Issa Diop at centre half. Dawson has become a vital player under Moyes. He’ll see his solid partnership with Ogbonna come to an end with his injury in the week. Diop should recover from a concussion scare in time for this tie, it’s a big opportunity for the Frenchman.
We expect Declan Rice to be handed the armband once again with Mark Noble dropping back to the bench. Top goalscorer Tomas Soucek should partner Rice, the two are ever-presents in the league this season.
Jarrod Bowen should start on the right flank. He was taken off after 45 minutes against United due to a tactical switch in formation. Jesse Lingard will likely come back into the number ten role with Said Benrahma on left wing.
We expect Moyes to select Michail Antonio up-top. The striker was absent from our cup game due to fatigue, and Moyes has said he could be back.
The boss is known for keeping his cards close to his chest, so we assume (or hope) that Antonio will play from the start.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie reacts to the injury of Ogbonna.