West Ham predicted XI vs Millwall: Pablo cruelly axed as five Dockers Derby changes made

Nuno Espirito Santo picks his most important West Ham United team this season against Millwall on Saturday.

It's the return of the Dockers Derby for the first time since February 2012 this weekend.

The Den will provide the stage for arguably the biggest fixture in this season's Championship.

West Ham will be looking to respond after their 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Fulham, whilst also extending their four-game winning run in the league.

As for Millwall, Alex Neil's side have won just once in their last six games in all competitions, and confidence in the Lions' den must be low.

West Ham Zone tries to go inside Nuno's mind to predict how he'll line his Irons team up come 12:30pm this Saturday.

Nuno Espirito Santo largely entrusts West Ham defence from Fulham

Given it was a Carabao Cup tie and with Millwall on the horizon, Fulham presented Nuno with the chance to make some rotations to his team.

Finlay Herrick could be replaced between the sticks by usual starting goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.

With Joel Veltman dealing with an injury problem, Kyle Walker-Peters may keep his place at right-back.

Morato scored his first West Ham goal against Fulham, and might fend off Ollie Scarles to retain his place at left-back.

In central defence, the strong partnership of Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos could be the duo Nuno sticks with once again.

So, with the potential for minimal disruption at the back, will Nuno shake things up more in midfield?

Divine Mukasa's role could change vs Millwall

Starting in central midfield, Arne Engels has been in excellent form of late and could keep his spot in the West Ham engine room.

However, his partner against Fulham, Lewis Orford, could drop to the bench in favour of moving Divine Mukasa back into the middle.

The 19-year-old started on the right wing against the Cottagers, but has played the best and majority of his Irons football through the middle.

As a result, this could open up room for Jarrod Bowen to retake his usual place on the right wing.

Over on the left, Mohamadou Kante may be axed in order to allow Manor Solomon to start down the opposite flank.

Now we've just got the two striker spots to fill, and Nuno has some tough calls to make here.

Nuno to opt with Championship experience in harsh Pablo move

Fulham proved to be a momentous occasion for Pablo, as it marked his first goal in West Ham colours.

Typically, it would be a no-brainer for Nuno to feed the hot hand, but the trouble is both Joel Piroe and Taty Castellanos are both in form too.

Young striker Josh Ajala could be replaced by Castellanos, and that just leaves Nuno pondering what to do with Pablo and Piroe.

We think he might side with the latter's Championship experience and the fact he was largely rested against Fulham to come in and possibly replace Pablo.

West Ham predicted XI vs Millwall: Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Kilman, Mavropanos, Morato; Engels, Mukasa, Bowen, Solomon; Piroe, Castellanos