Aaron Cresswell, Craig Dawson and Manuel Lanzini to be axed – West Ham United predicted XI v Everton
David Moyes could be set to make several changes to his West Ham side when they take on Everton in the Premier League this weekend.
The Hammers made it consecutive wins in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday with a 3-2 win over Silkeborg, their first game since the 3-1 win over FCSB last week after the Premier League’s postponement last week.
But with a return to domestic action set for Sunday, Moyes may be forced to make some changes to the team to ensure a high level of performance and avoid players being tired.
In goal Alphonse Areola got the nod once again in Europe, but Lukasz Fabianski is set to come back into the side as the established first-choice when it comes to the Premier League.
Defensively Moyes’ issues are beginning to ease after Craig Dawson and Aaron Cresswell both returned in midweek after injuries but Harrison Ashby, Ben Johnson and Nayef Aguerd are still out injured while Angelo Ogbonna is still not ready for a full-time return.
That means Vladimir Coufal is likely to continue at right-back, while Thilo Kehrer will once again partner Kurt Zouma in the centre of defence. Emerson Palmieri should keep his place in the side too, as Moyes shifts to a back four for this game.
Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek both got a run out against Silkeborg and it’s likely that both will start in the double pivot in midfield once again, which will see Manuel Lanzini step out of the team and onto the bench despite his goal.
Lucas Paqueta started in midweek and is still trying to catch up on fitness, so could once again be afforded a start in his favoured number ten role as Moyes looks to integrate him into the side to become a key member of the lineup.
In attack Maxwel Cornet has started his West Ham career well on the left wing and after recovering from injury he managed to complete 90 minutes against Silkeborg.
His pace and goal threat should see him continue in the side for this game too, and he should partner Jarrod Bowen on the flank with the England man returning on the right despite a slow start to the season.
Up front Gianluca Scamacca scored once again to take his season tally to three, but all of them have come in the Europa Conference League so far.
Michail Antonio has scored in both of his most recent appearances for the team and his running and power should see him cause a fragile Everton lots of problems, so he deserves the chance to start.
Predicted West Ham XI v Everton: Fabianski; Coufal, Kehrer, Zouma, Emerson; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Paqueta, Cornet; Antonio