Lukasz Fabianski returns, David Moyes to make Jarrod Bowen decision – Predicted West Ham United XI v Freiburg
West Ham United boss David Moyes could be set to make two changes to his starting eleven for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Freiburg (5 October).
The Hammers bounced back from Premier League defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City with a comfortable and assured 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the London Stadium on Saturday (30 September) with goals from Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek returning them to winning ways.
And Moyes has some big decisions to make on his team for Thursday’s game against quality opposition and because of that, he could be tempted to continue with a strong selection in Germany.
In goal, Lukas Fabianski could be set to make another rare start for the Hammers this season with the Pole last featuring in their win over Backa Topla in the 3-1 win at the London Stadium and is certainly now Moyes’ preferred option for their European ties.
West Ham United were particularly strong defensively against Sheffield United at the weekend and Moyes could be tempted to keep it as it is for a testing clash against a Freiburg side making waves in the German Bundesliga.
Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Nayef Aguerd who has drawn some criticism in recent days and Emerson Palmieri should all continue as Moyes’ trusted defensive line-up.
Konstantinos Mavropanos is certainly ready to stake his claim after a decent debut in the 1-0 win over Lincoln City but Aguerd should continue at the heart of the defence after returning back to some form over the weekend.
In midfield, Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek struck a great partnership against Sheffield United and both players will be gearing up to build on that on Thursday, adding much-needed engine, dynamism and strong presence in the middle of the park while the industrious and brilliant James Ward-Prowse should continue in behind Michail Antonio.
However, in attack is where Moyes certainly has to make a big decision and that is on key man Bowen.
It’s been reported that Bowen could miss Thursday’s game after taking a knock in the victory over the Blades, according to Sean Whetstone.
The West Ham news source shared via his Twitter account that the knock is not expected to be a long-term issue for the Hammers, but was the reason he was subbed off in the 93rd minute at the weekend and he certainly may not be risked with a tough Premier League battle to come against Newcastle United a few days later.
Bowen has had an excellent start to the season so far, having scored five goals and provided one assist in seven Premier League games, and will be looking to push on and keep the Hammers pushing high up the table.
However, his fitness will need to be carefully managed and that could mean summer signing Mohammed Kudus could yet take his place on the right flank, a position that certainly isn’t unfamiliar to him given his tactical understanding and versatility which will come in handy for Moyes and West Ham United.
The Ghanaian forward impressed in his first start for the Hammers against Lincoln City and this game will certainly be his chance to stake a claim to Moyes again.
Lucas Paqueta should start once again on the left flank as he so consummately did against Sheffield United, but it certainly comes as a cost to the likes of Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals who will likely start on the bench again.
Up top, Antonio should continue as Moyes’ lone frontman despite his current poor form right now but is certainly the Hammers best option with Danny Ings still struggling to impress when given the opportunity.
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