West Ham United predicted XI v Leeds as David Moyes sack talks reach boiling point
West Ham United travel to Leeds United on Wednesday 4 January, as David Moyes looks to stop the rot following five consecutive losses in the Premier League.
The Hammers arrive on the back of a demoralising 2-0 home defeat to Brentford, which has put David Moyes’ side on the precipice of the relegation zone – which they only remain out of on goal difference.
Now, the Scot will make four changes from the side that lost at the London Stadium, with a switch back to a 4-2-3-1 formation after his failed experiment with a back-five.
Lukasz Fabianski will remain in between the sticks for the Hammers after a string of strong performances, despite the team’s poor form.
A change to a back four will give Moyes more options going forward, so Aaron Cresswell will shift back out to his favoured left-back position following his disastrous cameo in the heart of the defence, while Craig Dawson also keeps his spot after standing head and shoulders above the rest of the defence last time out.
Angelo Ogbonna drops to the bench and is replaced by Moroccan World Cup star Nayef Aguerd, who returns from illness and starts in the heart of Moyes’ defence. Beside him, Thilo Kehrer comes in at right-back to add some much-needed solidity after Vladimir Coufal was often swarmed by the Bees’ high press and struggled with the game’s intensity.
In midfield, captain Declan Rice is partnered by 23-year-old Flynn Downes, who will be given his first Premier League start since facing Manchester United in October. The midfielder is preferred to Tomas Soucek, who has struggled to impact games all season long, and as such, fallen down the Hammers’ pecking order.
Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, moves into his favoured central attacking midfield role, where he will be given the licence to float and create chances in the final third.
Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen keep their spots on their requisite wings, with Maxwel Cornet still sidelined with a thigh injury. Gianluca Scamacca is axed from the starting XI in attack after struggling to impact the game against Brentford, and Michail Antonio will lead the line in his stead.
The 32-year-old’s big-match experience could prove crucial in this crunch clash for West Ham United, and there are few other players who Moyes would trust to deliver the goods as much as Antonio.
Predicted West Ham United XI v Leeds United – Fabianski; Kehrer, Dawson, Aguerd, Cresswell; Rice, Downes; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio.