West Ham United have the chance to avenge their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur when the two sides square off in the EFL Cup round of 16 tie on Wednesday.
Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini has said that the team will be focussed ahead of the tie and expected a close game between the two sides, just like it was when the two faced off at the London Stadium earlier this season.
West Ham have struggled for consistency in the Premier League but Pellegrini said they will respect the cup and put out a strong team.
Pellegrini has quite a few injury issues to deal with and the recent red card Mark Noble picked up only makes matters worse. Noble was shown a direct red for a rash challenge on Wilfried Ndidi in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
It’s unlikely Pedro Obiang will be risked either, so we could potentially see Robert Snodgrass dropping to a midfield role.
Marko Arnautovic missed the last Premier League game with an illness and the boss will have to take a let call on him.
Defence
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna could start as the two centre-halves while Aaron Cresswell and Ryan Fredericks should feature as the fullbacks.
West Ham haven’t found the defensive stability yet this season as injuries and constant reshuffling haven’t helped Pellegrini. Winston’s Reid’s absence hasn’t helped as he was so often the more consistent of centre-backs at the club.
Adrian could get a start in goal despite Fabianski’s impressive form.
Midfield
Declan Rice has done well for the Hammers this season and he should feature as the deeper midfielder with Snodgrass playing as the box to box midfielder.
The Scotsman is pretty tenacious, so that’s one thing that will help him in midfield. Grady Diangana has impressed in the minutes he has received on the pitch and scored a brace in the previous round. He could get another start on the right wing.
Michail Antonio is expected to feature on the left wing as Pellegrini’s resources have been stretched.
Attack
Felipe Anderson could play behind Javier Hernandez. Anderson is yet to hit top form but has impressed in patches so far this season.
Hernandez
Antonio – Anderson – Diangana
Snodgrass – Rice
Cresswell – Ogbonna – Diop – Fredericks
Adrian
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