By Alex Beard

23rd Jan, 2020 | 5:23pm

Two set for axe in formation change: Predicted West Ham starting XI v West Brom

West Ham United look to continue their FA Cup run on Saturday with a tricky tie against Championship high-flyers West Bromwich Albion.

Both teams have other priorities, of course: West Brom getting back to the Premier League, West Ham staying in it.

So it will be interesting to see how both teams line up at the London Stadium. West Ham manager David Moyes, though, probably won’t dare field the kids after Wednesday’s 4-1 thumping at Leicester City.

The Scot, then, is likely to make just two changes from that game. The key, though, could be a much-needed change of formation to a 4-3-3.

With that said, the disappointing duo of wing back Arthur Masuaku and playmaker Manuel Lanzini will surely drop out in favour of attackers Michail Antonio and Albian Ajeti.

New signing Darren Randolph will almost certainly continue in between the sticks, with first choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski still out injured.

A flat back four needs to be re-instated after Moyes’ ill-fated experiment with a five-man backline in the first half on Wednesday. With that said, Pablo Zabaleta and Aaron Cresswell can expect to start at the full back positions.

Issa Diop has been slightly better of late, and so the young Frenchman will surely start alongside Angelo Ogbonna at the heart of the Irons’ defence on Saturday.

A midfield three of Robert Snodgrass, Declan Rice and Mark Noble looks likely to accommodate an attack-minded front three.

In that front three could well be the returning Antonio, the perpetually overlooked Ajeti and club record signing Sebastien Haller.

In other West Ham news, a former Hammers striker has taken aim at one Irons star who’s been a big disappointment this season.