Four new signings start, Michail Antonio axed – West Ham United predicted XI v Bournemouth
West Ham United boss Julen Lopetegui has been predicted to make seven changes to his Hammers starting XI for the Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth.
The Irons welcome the Cherries to the London Stadium on Wednesday (28 August) for the second-round clash having picked up their first win under the former Real Madrid manager against Crystal Palace.
With three points under his belt and the opportunity to rest and rotate his side in the cup, Lopetegui will likely use Wednesday night’s match to experiment with one or two of his new signings in the starting XI.
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Lukasz Fabianski will likely be handed a rare start between the posts. The 39-year-old was the Irons’ cup keeper last term and he deserves his opportunity having impressed as Alphonse Aerola’s understudy last year.
Ahead of the Polish stopper, Jean-Clair Todibo seems set to partner Max Kilman.
The former Nice man has had to wait patiently for his opportunity in claret and blue but the clash with Bournemouth seems to be the perfect chance for Lopetegui to test out what could be his future first-choice centre-back pairing.
After an “exceptional” cameo off of the bench at Selhurst Park, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has earned his place in the starting XI after his move from Manchester United, while Emerson is set to continue at left-back [Tom Rennie, 24 August].
At the base of midfield, James Ward-Prowse could make his first start of the season as speculation swirls around his future heading into the final days of the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest West Ham would be willing to sell the England international before 30 August if the right offer is made for his signature [The Athletic, 26 August] so this could be his last chance to impress Lopetegui.
He will likely be partnered by Edson Alvarez as he continues to build his fitness having picked up an injury at the Copa America.
The Mexican international was a second-half substitute against Palace and 45 minutes from the off in the cup could help him as he looks to get back up to speed.
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In attacking midfield Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta will almost certainly keep their places. Both players impressed last time out and Lopetegui will be reluctant to make too many alterations to the frontline that impressed against the Eagles.
However, Mohammed Kudus will likely be given a rare rest, with Crysencio Summerville handed a full Irons debut from the left flank.
The Dutchman impressed in that role while at Leeds United last term and the cup tie with the Cherries represents the perfect opportunity for him to begin to bridge that gap between the two tiers.
Finally, Michail Antonio will almost certainly drop to the bench with Niclas Fullkrug taking his place and leading the line. The German has impressed from the bench but is yet to be given a start following his move from Borussia Dortmund.
With the spotlight off of the Irons in the cup, it makes sense that Lopetegui should hand four of his new signings full debuts so that they can begin to find their feet in claret and blue.
In other West Ham news, a Tammy Abraham exit update has emerged at Roma amid links with a summer transfer to the London Stadium
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