West Ham United confirmed XI v Crystal Palace: Lopetegui makes Niklas Fullkrug decision
Julen Lopetegui has named his starting XI for his second game in charge of West Ham ahead of their clash on Saturday 24 August against Crystal Palace.
The Hammers have made no changes from the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in their opening Premier League fixture of the season despite a sub-par performance.
This has been confirmed by the club’s X account (24 August) with it being a surprise not to see Niclas Fullkrug introduced for Michail Antonio.
Julen Lopetegui wants first West Ham points v Crystal Palace
The Spanish head coach didn’t begin his first match in charge at the London Stadium the way he would have wanted with a defeat against Unai Emery’s side.
Despite getting back level through a controversial Lucas Paqueta penalty, the Irons never made the most of this gift and were reduced to very few chances.
It has to be said that Villa achieved Champions League qualification last season so are not easy to beat so Lopetegui will be hopeful for a positive result against Palace.
It would have been exciting for the Hammers fans to see Fullkrug come in from the start after a positive cameo off the bench against Villa.
There will be hope that he can grab his first goal for the Irons off the bench against the Eagles.
Despite not adding the German or Crysencio Summerville into the side, stars like Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen should create plenty of chances between them.
In other West Ham news, late Tammy Abraham transfer being considered with Roma wanting to sell.
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