West Ham United will look to improve their unflattering away record when they face Cardiff City on Saturday.
After back to back losses against Bournemouth and Wolves back in Matchweek 23 and 24 respectively, the Hammers have somewhat recovered, losing once in their last five league games drawing and winning two each.
Pellegrini stressed on the need to do better on the road in his pre-match presser and a win against struggling Cardiff City will be a good way to improve on their record of four wins on the road this season.
WEST HAM UNITED TEAM NEWS
Manuel Pellegrini declared Aaron Cresswell fit to play while there will also be the return of Fabian Balbuena who played 45 minutes for the U-23s without any reaction to his injury. Aaron Cresswell is also fit after having gone off with a niggle against Newcastle.
Jack Wilshere is on his road to recovery but will not be risked anytime soon with the medical team particularly cautious given his track record. Winston Reid, Carlos Sanchez and Andriy Yarmolenko remain out.
PREDICTED WEST HAM UNITED LINEUP VS CARDIFF CITY (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
Lukasz Fabianski will start in goal. The Polish shot-stopper has been one of the top performing players for Manuel and he will be keen to keep a clean sheet against The Bluebirds.
Ryan Fredericks seems to have ousted Pablo Zabaleta from the starting lineup and is expected to retain his place at right-back.
Despite Balbuena’s return, the centre-back pairing is likely to remain the same with Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna starting. Balbuena is likely to be eased into action and a physically imposing Cardiff side at home might not be the best opposition to do so against.
Aaron Creswell has been passed fit by the manager and the Englishman should retain his place at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Declan Rice will start in midfield. The rising star has been in terrific form and after his goal against Newcastle United, will be buzzing to take the field.
Mark Noble might join him in midfield after he got a good week’s rest to recharge his batteries. The captain also got on the scoresheet against the Magpies and will be keen to start.
ATTACK
Antonio will hope to get a start on the right replacing Robert Snodgrass. Manuel Lanzini played the whole game last weekend and will like to keep working on his rhythm. Samir Nasri offers an alternative if Pellegrini opts to change things in the no.10 slot.
Felipe Anderson has gone off the boil recently, with a single assist in the last ten matches and he will be keen to perform against Cardiff.
Marko Arnautovic was on the bench in the last match but is likely to start on Saturday.
