Mohammed Kudus starts – Confirmed West Ham XI v FK TSC Backa Topala
David Moyes has made nine changes to his West Ham United starting lineup to face FK TSC Backa Topola this evening in the Europa League.
Mohammed Kudus has been given his first start since joining from Ajax this summer, with Moyes opting to change his entire frontline following the defeat to Manchester City, with Jarrod Bowen rested, while Pablo Fornals also starts.
Danny Ings will lead the line for the Hammers replacing Michail Antonio up front, while Said Benrahma starts in place of Tomas Soucek as Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse look set to operate as a midfield pair.
Lukasz Fabianski returns in goal and has Thilo Kehrer ahead of him and he will be partnered by Konstantinos Mavropanos who makes his first start since making the switch to the London Stadium this summer, while Angelo Ogbonna captains the side.
Europe again
West Ham United are back playing in Europe once again for the third season in a row and they’ll be hoping this campaign can be just as successful as their last two ventures into Europe.
While last season saw them lift the Europa Conference League, they’ll be hoping they can go a couple of steps further than their Europa League campaign in the 2021/22 season and lift another European title.
The Hammers have started the Premier League in excellent form and while Moyes has begun to settle on his preferred team domestically, the visit of Backa Topola offers him the opportunity to have a look at a few players who have struggled for minutes so far this season.
Lukasz Fabianski has the chance to show that he is still worthy of being the Irons’ number one as he makes his first start of the campaign having been pipped by the Alphonse Areola in the Premier League and the Frenchman’s performances have made it difficult for the former Arsenal stopper to wrestle back his place.
With Edson Alaverez suspended, Moyes was always going to have to alter the personnel in the middle of the park, but thanks to some impressive transfer business this summer, West Ham have the strength in depth to cover in the Mexican’s absence.
On paper, this is the Hammers’ easiest tie in the group stage this season and in front of their home fans at the London Stadium, Moyes and his side will be coming into this match confident they can get their European season underway in the perfect fashion.
In other West Ham news, Thomas Soucek has claimed the Irons are stronger than they ever have been in Europe