Angelo Ogbonna to be axed among 8 changes – West Ham United predicted XI v AZ Alkmaar
David Moyes is likely to make several changes to the West Ham United starting lineup for the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against AZ Alkmaar.
The Hammers came from behind to claim a 2-1 win in the first leg at the London Stadium last week, but Moyes made several changes to the team for the Premier League defeat to Brentford on Sunday (14 May).
Now the manager must make decisions on his side for the huge game, with a place in a European Cup final up for grabs.
Lukasz Fabianski has been the number one this season but it’s Alphonse Areola who has been between the sticks in the Conference League this season and he will get the nod once more.
Vladimir Coufal is still recovering from a hamstring injury so Germany international Thilo Kehrer is likely to return at right-back in place of Ben Johnson, while Aaron Cresswell’s experience should get the nod ahead of Emerson on the left.
Nayef Aguerd has started each of the last three games at centre-back but with Kurt Zouma being rested at the weekend he is likely to come in ahead of Italy international Angelo Ogbonna, who should drop to the bench.
Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta were rested against Brentford too but the two best players at the club are guaranteed to return to the side in midfield against AZ Alkmaar, while Tomas Soucek’s form has improved greatly in recent weeks and he should keep his place in the side ahead of Flynn Downes.
In attack the winger positions have been nailed down this season by Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma and they will keep their places, despite Maxwel Cornet making his first start since returning from injury at the weekend.
Gianluca Scamacca is back in light training following knee surgery but won’t feature again this season for West Ham.
That leaves the striker role up for grabs between Danny Ings and Michail Antonio, but with the Jamaica international struggling with a knock he picked up in the first leg the former Aston Villa and Southampton striker seems more likely to get the nod from the start.