WHZ View: Major rotation, rare start for Kral – Predicted West Ham XI v Kidderminster
West Ham are expected to heavily rotate their team and hand midfielder Alex Kral a rare start when they face Kidderminster in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Hammers have had a two week break from action thanks to the international window, having been without a game since their dramatic defeat to Manchester United on January 22nd.
But with no January additions during the transfer window, Moyes has the same squad to pick from as the rest of this campaign and will likely rotate the team ahead of a return to Premier League action in midweek.
Alphonse Areola got his first Premier League start against United with Lukasz Fabianski missing out with illness, but the French man should keep his place as the cup goalkeeper.
In defence, young Ben Johnson should get the nod at right-back while Arthur Masuaku returns to the team at left-back. In the heart of defence, we should see the continuation of the partnership between Craig Dawson and Issa Diop, with Kurt Zouma, rested.
In midfield skipper Mark Noble should get a start, but his partner in the centre will likely be Czech Republic’s Alex Kral who has featured for just 166 minutes so far as a Hammer.
David Moyes hinted he should see more action in the second half of the season during his pre-game press conference so what better time than against non-league opposition in the cup?
Ahead of them, the Hammers have an abundance of options. Said Benrahma is back from appearing at AFCON with Algeria, but he will likely sit this game out ahead of the Premier League return in midweek.
Andriy Yarmolenko could get a surprise nod from the start on the right, with Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals switching between the number ten position and left-wing.
Michail Antonio is unlikely to feature after only returning from international duty on Friday morning, so Jarrod Bowen should start as the central striker.
Here is the predicted West Ham XI to face Kidderminster in the FA Cup fourth round:
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