View: West Ham predicted XI vs Brentford
West Ham manager David Moyes is expected to make minimal changes to the side as they prepare to take on Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Hammers fought to a 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final after being reduced to ten men in the first half in a great performance overall.
But with the second leg coming in less than a week, they now travel to the Brentford Community Stadium on Sunday and Moyes must decide whether to go all out or prioritise the European charge.
In goal he has an easy decision to make, with Lukasz Fabianski the established number one choice between the sticks and so he should return to the side.
In defence Aaron Cresswell’s red card means he is unavailable for the second leg and therefore will be good to play here, following on from his stunning free-kick goal against Everton last week.
Craig Dawson and Kurt Zouma are the first-choice partnership in the centre and Issa Diop’s performances this season have given no reason for Moyes to change that for this game either.
At right back though, Ryan Fredericks has been deputising for Ben Johnson and Vladimir Coufal who had been dealing with knocks. Johnson was able to play 45 minutes in midweek though and should return to the lineup from the start here.
In midfield Moyes will want to be as strong as possible, so the duo of Tomas Soucek and the ever-influential Declan Rice will start, fitness permitting.
Ahead of them though are Moyes’ toughest decisions. Manuel Lanzini missed last week’s win after being involved in a car crash and was suspended in midweek, so he should come into the side in the number ten role.
Said Benrahma was the man who was sacrificed after Cresswell’s red card, so he should be fresh enough to come into this game from the start one again on the left, with Pablo Fornals sitting out.
Jarrod Bowen completed his first 90 minutes since returning from injury in midweek and got his second goal in two games, so expect Moyes to continue with him in the team from the start.
Michail Antonio remains the only senior striker in the squad and despite Andriy Yarmolenko’s good form recently, the Jamaica international will lead the line.
West Ham Predicted XI: Fabianski; Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Benrahma; Antonio
In other West Ham news, Mark Lawrenson predicts West Ham clash v Brentford, shares view on David Moyes priorities
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