Lopetegui axes Lucas Paqueta in three changes – West Ham predicted XI v Nottingham Forest
Julen Lopetegui has a decision to make regarding Lucas Paqueta ahead of the Premier League clash between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
The Irons picked up a much-needed win against Manchester United last Sunday (27 October), ending Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford tenure with a 2-1 victory at home. Lopetegui will be keen to avoid further slip-ups as he looks to keep his job at the London Stadium amid shouts to sack him.
This is why the Spaniard needs to make cut-throat decisions when the Hammers travel to the City Ground to face Forest in the Premier League on Saturday (2 November). This could include dropping Paqueta, as well as Konstantinos Mavropanos and Carlos Soler, from the starting XI.
Crysencio Summerville, Jean-Clair Todibo and Tomas Soucek could take the trio’s places in the team.
Lopetegui to make Lucas Paqueta call in West Ham United v Nottingham Forest
Lopetegui showed he is not reluctant to make big decisions when he axed “fall guy” Alphonse Areola against Manchester United and handed Lucas Fabianski his first league start of the season. The veteran was solid in goal, making four saves and preventing one goal from an xGOT of two (FotMob), and is likely to remain between the sticks.
Similarly, Mavropanos was given a start ahead of Todibo against the Red Devils. However, unlike Fabianski, the Greek failed to grab his chance with both hands and was hooked at half-time. Todibo is, therefore, likely to join Max Kilman, Emerson and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the back four this time.
Guido Rodriguez almost gifted United the lead with an error last weekend, but he might just keep his place alongside Edson Alvarez against Forest. Ever-present Jarrod Bowen will look to add to his three-goal tally in the league, although he might have different partners in attack.
Like Mavropanos, Soler failed to impress after being handed a start and was substituted at half-time. He is likely to drop out, with Summerville the likely candidate to come in as West Ham look to cope without a suspended Mohammed Kudus.
Paqueta was the final of three brave half-time substitutions Lopetegui made last weekend and the Brazilian might now be looking at a spell on the bench (GiveMeSport). Soucek could come in for him.
Michail Antonio is likely to continue to lead the line for West Ham, although Danny Ings staked a claim to start against Forest with 19-minute cameo against United, winning the penalty that led to Bowen’s winner.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have been scouting this up-and-coming star ahead of a potential transfer.
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