West Ham’s sixth Premier League game of what will be an extremely busy season is a trip to Yorkshire and a date with Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday.
The Hammers are juggling league, Europa League and Carabao Cup action at the moment, which is a strong indicator of the continued progress being made under David Moyes.
Last time out in the Premier League, West Ham came unstuck against Manchester United at the London Stadium – but only after Mark Noble saw his injury-time penalty dramatically saved by David de Gea.
Moyes is unlikely to change much from that side, bringing back in a number of the players who were rested in midweek for the Carabao Cup.
Lukasz Fabianski (GK) – The Pole hasn’t put a foot wrong yet so there’s no reason for Alphonse Areola to take his place yet.
Vladimir Coufal (RB) – Played 75 minutes in midweek because of Ryan Fredericks’ injury. Not ideal but has incredible stamina.
Kurt Zouma (CB) – Was superb on his Premier League debut for West Ham against Manchester United. More of the same required here.
Angelo Ogbonna (CB) – Issa Diop and Craig Dawson have strong cases for starting alongside Zouma, but Ogbonna was also a rock against United. Competition for places is very welcome.
Aaron Cresswell (LB) – Ben Johnson deputised in the midweek to allow Cresswell to freshen up for the challenge of Raphinha.
98% – Declan Rice only misplaced one of his 54 attempted passes against Dinamo Zagreb (98% accuracy), while he completed 100% of the passes he made in the opposition half (32/32). Director. pic.twitter.com/YH4zQSWITa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 17, 2021
Declan Rice (CM) – Going from strength to strength each and every week. Rice vs Kalvin Phillips in the battle of England’s defensive midfielders should be a fun watch.
Tomas Soucek (CM) – Was a little sloppy against United in truth, giving the ball away uncharacteristically. Has the mentality to put that behind him immediately.
Pablo Fornals (CM) – So, so important for West Ham, Fornals never stops running and has now found end product to marry up with his stylish build-up play.
Jarrod Bowen appreciation tweet. He really is outstanding. #WHUFC âš’ pic.twitter.com/eUvQ6Q9XiT
— Toby Cudworth (@Toby_Cudworth) September 22, 2021
Jarrod Bowen (RW) – It’s a toss up between Bowen and Nikola Vlasic for a start on the right, but only because the former Hull man played 90 minutes in midweek. He’s so good though that he can’t be dropped…right?
Michail Antonio (ST) – Missed the game against Manchester United because of a silly red card the week before. The Premier League’s top scorer so far.
Said Benrahma (LW) – Moyes said all along that Benrahma needed time to adapt and work on a few things before becoming a Premier League regular. Three goals in five games suggests the hard graft is paying off.
