Fornals and Lanzini to be axed, Scamacca and Cornet to debut – West Ham United predicted XI v Nottingham Forest
West Ham United travel to take on the newly promoted Nottingham Forest side this weekend and David Moyes has some decisions to make with his side.
The Hammers opened up their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to champions Manchester City at the London Stadium last week, but had a depleted squad for the most part for the boss to choose from.
But now as they look to earn their first points of the season, they have a few added options and that could potentially see a change in formation for the game too.
Lukasz Fabianski was forced off in the first half against City after getting a dead leg, but he is expected to be fit enough to play this game and would likely keep his place as the number one goalkeeper.
Moyes has hinted at potentially switching to a three-at-the-back system on occasion this season, and with Kurt Zouma being the only fit natural centre-back in the squad currently that’s an option here.
The Frenchman will start, and could be flanked by natural full-backs Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell on either side of him having both played there in the past.
That would see Vladimir Coufal moved to his right wing-back spot on the pitch, while Moyes could give Maxwel Cornet a debut at left wing-back following his £17.5m move from Burnley.
The Ivorian was unavailable last week and having previously played in the role it would give Moyes tactical flexibility on the pitch if needed with his versatility seeing him able to play further up the pitch too.
In midfield Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek are the undisputed starters with their balance of goal threat, leadership and defensive stability and without a major signing that is likely to continue throughout the season.
On the right-wing Jarrod Bowen had the best season of his career last season and will be hoping to continue that to keep his place in the England squad coming up to the World Cup.
He will start in his favoured position, but Michail Antonio could find himself switching roles and starting out on the left flank. His pace and aerial threat are something Moyes won’t want to lose from the side, and his past as a winger makes this more than possible.
That leaves the number nine position open for Italian international Gianluca Scamacca to step into the side for his first start since joining, after what was seen as a positive cameo off the bench against Man City.
Predicted West Ham XI vs Nottingham Forest: Fabianski; Johnson, Zouma, Cresswell; Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Cornet; Bowen, Scamacca, Antonio.