David Moyes to ring changes, Michail Antonio to start – West Ham United predicted XI v Anderlecht
David Moyes looks set to wield the axe for West Ham United’s trip to face Anderlecht in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The Hammers head to Belgium for the third game of their group stage journey, having already claimed victories against Silkeborg and FCSB while Anderlecht claimed a win and a draw from their two fixtures against the same opposition.
But with such a hectic schedule this month in the Premier League and in Europe, Moyes is likely to use the full squad to ensure nobody gets overrun and that should lead to changes for this game.
One change almost guaranteed is that goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will start in goal ahead of Lukasz Fabianski, with the French stopper seen as the cup goalkeeper at the club including European competition.
In defence there could be several changes with the squad currently having several players returning from injury, so this is a chance to give them more minutes.
Vladimir Coufal was dropped for the win over Wolves but could return to the side at right-back, allowing Thilo Kehrer to get a rest ahead of the weekend. Craig Dawson should keep his place in the side once again, but could partner the returning Angelo Ogbonna in the middle.
Emerson and Aaron Cresswell have been battling it out for the left-back spot and the more experienced player seems to be winning right now, and he’s likely to keep his place for this game too.
In midfield Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek have started every Premier League game together so far this season, but both could be rested in midweek meaning another chance to impress for Flynn Downes.
He could be joined by Manuel Lanzini in a deeper role, with his last appearance coming in this competition too. Club-record signing Lucas Paqueta is also expected to start in a number ten role, but could drop in deeper to help off the ball.
Maxwel Cornet is set to miss the game after missing training on Wednesday morning with a calf problem, while Jarred Bowen could be rested after his gruesome hand injury in the game against Wolves too.
That will provide Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma a chance to shine from the start in the wide positions, with a view to claiming their starting spot back for the weekend game with Fulham.
Up front Gianluca Scamacca got his first Premier League goal against Wolves and that should see him keep his place in the league going forward, which means Michail Antonio should get the nod in attack here.
Predicted West Ham XI v Anderlecht: Areola; Coufal, Dawson, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Downes, Lanzini, Paqueta; Fornals, Antonio, Benrahma