West Ham predicted XI v Newcastle: Areola benched, Benrahma set to start
West Ham begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
After an impressive pre-season campaign, David Moyes and his men will be hoping to replicate the performances and kick-start their campaign with three points against the Tyneside club.
New signing Alphonse Areola is in contention to start, but Lukasz Fabianski is expected to retain his spot between the sticks, at least for the first game of the season.
The back four has a similar look to it with Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop and Aaron Cresswell in it.
Angelo Ogbonna suffered a minor niggle recently, but should be fit enough to make the bench on Saturday.
Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic is unlikely to be signed by the deadline so even if he joins, will not be playing any part in this game.
In midfield, Declan Rice, despite all the transfer rumours [Manchester Evening News], continues to stay at the London Stadium and after an impressive Euro 2020 campaign is set to start against the Magpies.
Partnering him is a familiar name in Tomas Soucek. The two formed a seamless understanding towards the end of last season before Rice suffered an injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Moving forward, Said Benrahma had a slow start to life at West Ham, but has kicked on a few levels in pre season and Moyes would’ve certainly be impressed by his application and work ethic.
This could be the campaign in which the Algerian thrives and we’re expecting him to start the opener.
Much like him, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen have looked good in pre season and should be given the start in two of the three attacking positions behind the striker.
With no number nine signed just as yet, Michail Antonio is expected to retain his place leading the line for the Hammers in our opening league game.
We’re hoping he manages to stay fit this season as there will be a lot of onus on him, especially if we fail to bring in a striker.
In other West Ham news, WHZ View: ‘Frustrating’ summer blunder could cost West Ham Euro spot in 21/22
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