View: Moyes wields axe, Mark Noble gets rare start – West Ham predicted XI v Burnley
West Ham are sure to still be buzzing from their huge win over Lyon on Thursday in the Europa League, but David Moyes will be keen to move on quickly as they face Burnley.
The Hammers host relegation battling Burnley on Sunday afternoon, with the club reeling from the sacking of long-term manager Sean Dyche on Friday morning.
Moyes will look to make changes for the game in order to give some players a rest, but there are some big decisions for the Scot to make to ensure momentum isn’t lost.
In goal it’s an easy decision for the boss, with Lukasz Fabianski fit and available to return after Alphonse Areola kept his place as the cup goalkeeper in midweek.
Vladimir Coufal has performed well since returning from injury and should continue at right-back in this one, while goalscorer Craig Dawson and Issa Diop should start at centre-back with Kurt Zouma still injured.
Aaron Cresswell was suspended in midweek which saw Ben Johnson cover for him, but the experienced full-back is likely to return in a move that will add fresh legs to the side too.
Declan Rice continued his brilliant season with a goal in France and he will start in midfield once again, but this time it could be minus the captain’s armband.
The attacking options of Moyes have all looked fairly tired in recent weeks and that could see the boss try something new, by moving Tomas Soucek into a more advanced role and bringing in skipper Mark Noble from the start for only the second time in the league this season.
Said Benrahma could also come into the side on the left wing, replacing Pablo Fornals and Manuel Lanzini.
Jarrod Bowen scored once again in midweek and made it three goals in four appearances since returning from injury, so Moyes will look to keep that momentum going and start him again.
Up front Michail Antonio’s performances have improved in recent weeks but he is still chasing his first league goal since New Year’s Day and the Hammers will be hopeful that he can get that here.
Predicted West Ham XI v Burnley: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Diop, Cresswell; Rice, Noble, Soucek; Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma
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