Lopetegui axes Coufal, three changes – West Ham predicted XI v Manchester City
Julen Lopetegui could make three changes to his West Ham United side to take on Manchester City on Saturday.
The Hammers were blown away by Liverpool last time out (29 December) and following the 5-0 defeat at the London Stadium, it does not get much easier as Pep Guardiola plays host with a City team who have recently returned to winning ways.
Lopetegui remains under pressure and is now set back massively by the foot injury which forced talisman Jarrod Bowen off the field against Liverpool.
Rotations are expected but it could well be another difficult day for the Spaniard and his side if they are not at it from the first minute at the Etihad Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen out for West Ham as Fullkrug has point to prove
With Bowen now ruled out, West Ham have to ensure their season does not go from bad to worse. Niclas Fullkrug was introduced in a half-time reshuffle against Liverpool and is likely to spearhead the Hammers’ attack.
Fullkrug has a major point to prove in English football having endured a sluggish start to life at West Ham through injury, with a supply line from the flanks crucial to his game. Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus can provide that service on the corresponding wings, and Fullkrug’s hold-up play can relieve the anticipated long spells of pressure from the home side.
In a bid to barricade a leaky defence, Lopetegui may opt for a back five – but this time, using Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a wing-back, recalling Jean-Clair Todibo to the XI and dropping Vladimir Coufal, whose game time has dwindled this season.
Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Max Kilman will be hoping between them they can snuff out Erling Haaland, who returned to the goals against Leicester City (29 December) and hit a hat-trick in August’s reverse fixture in East London. Emerson should continue in a left-wing-back role.
Tomas Soucek is in line to return from suspension and gives the midfield a boost, likely coming in for Edson Alvarez as Carlos Soler keeps his place. Alphonse Areola will continue in goal while Lukasz Fabianski continues his recovery from the injury sustained at Southampton on Boxing Day.
In other West Ham news, a frustrating discovery that the Irons were offered a striker now delivering in the Premier League for a rival club.
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