Said Benrahma dropped by David Moyes – Confirmed West Ham XI vs Leicester
West Ham have made two changes to their starting lineup as David Moyes looks for another victory when they face Leicester in the Premier League today.
Manuel Lanzini returns to the team after being left on the bench against Watford in midweek, replacing Said Benrahma in the only initial change.
Kurt Zouma had originally kept his place in defence despite calls for him to be dropped and was to be partnered by Craig Dawson. However West Ham say he fell ill during the warm-up and has been replaced in the team by Issa Diop.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek carry their partnership into yet another game in the heart of midfield, while Pablo Fornals will try to support them as the number ten.
Confirmed West Ham XI vs Leicester: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Lanzini; Antonio
Momentum
Moyes managed the team really well through a small rough patch of two defeats in a row and then a poor performance against Kidderminster in the FA Cup.
The win over Watford was marred by the Zouma scandal currently going on, but the result and performance was a hugely encouraging one.
Leicester are a team who have blown hot and cold this season but they have the quality to punish anyone on their day, so West Ham need to ensure this isn’t one of those days.
The midfield battle will be important, so adding in the energy of Lanzini to help out over the intricacies of Benrahma’s game was expected and should go a long way to securing three points.
Bowen and Antonio will need to be at their best though, as they remain the only real goal threats in the team following no January signings.
In other West Ham news, Report shares major update on contract status of West Ham player whose deal expires in summer