West Ham predicted XI vs Southampton: Nuno to axe Manor Solomon in two changes

West Ham United are likely to make a couple of changes when they face Southampton in the Championship.

The Hammers have started the season well, emerging as the second tier's highest goal scorers, while already occupying those coveted automatic promotion places.

The Portuguese manager guided his side to victory over Swansea City on 17 October, closing the four-point gap to the league leaders to just one.

But now, West Ham's difficult fixtures only continue to pile up when they host Southampton at London Stadium.

With Nuno needing to once again get his starting line-up spot on if the Irons are looking to get a positive result.

And here is who the 52-year-old could select in this starting XI ahead of the game.

Will Nuno Espirito Santo stick or twist in West Ham's defence?

West Ham have now kept two clean sheets back-to-back, so whether Nuno is willing to risk swapping things around remains to be seen.

But with that defensive record, it would seem unlikely.

Mads Hermansen is poised to retain his place between the sticks, while centre-back pairing Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos are the probable central defenders.

Out wide, Morato is the likeliest to be replaced, but Nuno Espirito Santo could stick with both him and Joel Veltman.

He does, of course, have Kyle Walker-Peters and Ollie Scarles to turn to, but the two summer arrivals are expected to continue to get the nod.

Nuno to shuffle his attack with West Ham having the luxury

West Ham have quite the deep squad when it comes to their forward department, and the Portuguese manager is primed to utilise that this season.

So far, there have been favourites of the 52-year-old emerging, with Manor Solomon one of those players.

The controversial Israel winger has started 10 of the Irons' league fixtures, but this time around, he is predicted to drop to the bench.

With Edvin Austbo in line to possibly take his place in the starting XI.

Elsewhere in midfield and attack, Jarrod Bowen is of course likely to keep his place, while Arne Engels and Divine Mukasa have been building a strong midfield relationship.

The summer signings are poised to remain in place.

Mohamadou Kante is expected to retain his spot in the lineup after getting the assist for the winner against Swansea City.

Up front, Nuno has plenty of options with Taty Castellanos and Joel Piroe to choose from should Pablo be dropped.

And on this occasion, Piroe is expected to make his return to the lineup, with the Brazilian likely making way.

West Ham predicted XI vs Southampton: Hermansen; Veltman, Kilman, Mavropanos, Morato; Engels, Mukasa, Kante, Austbo, Bowen; Piroe