Lopetegui to axe Kudus in two changes – West Ham United predicted XI v Ipswich
Julen Lopetegui may be looking to axe Mohammed Kudus from his West Ham United starting XI v Ipswich after their recent bust-up.
The two collided when the Ghana international was taken off the pitch at half-time against Brentford due to “tactical” reasons.
The game against the Tractor Boys will be held at the London Stadium with the Hammers hoping to break their poor run of form and make their way up the Premier League table.
It was a 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out despite Lopetegui’s men managing to have 19 shots throughout the game.
Julen Lopetegui to make changes at West Ham United
Alphonse Areola will stay between the sticks for the game against the Tractor Boys, with the Frenchman being the clear number one at the club.
Emerson and £15million man Aaron Wan-Bissaka will both keep their places in the Hammers’ starting XI with Lopetegui likely hoping for a better performance from the duo than last time out [Manchester Evening News, 13 August].
Max Kilman and Jean Clair-Todibo will finish off the back four with the new Hammers pairing looking to help solidify West Ham’s defensive line.
Guido Rodriguez will be the link between the defence and the midfield and will no doubt look to help advance the ball into dangerous positions.
Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta will also assume their roles in the centre of the park with the midfield duo offering some attacking play to an otherwise defensive lineup.
Left-wing will be the first change in the team with Mohammed Kudus being sidelined for Crysencio Summerville due to the bust-up he had with his manager at half-time of the game against the Bees [The Athletic, 2 October]. Jarrod Bowen will, however, stay put in the starting XI and add to the attack from the right.
Last but not least, Michail Antonio could be dropped for Danny Ings following his many poor performances across the term thus far with the Englishman offering something different than the Jamaica international.
In other West Ham news, an update has been shared on the availability of Niclas Fullkrug.
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