After the highs of beating Manchester United, Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham United were brought down to earth in the third round of the League Cup, where they lost to Oxford United earlier this week.
The Hammers are unbeaten in the league after their defeat to Manchester City on the opening day, and they will look to continue this run when they travel to Dean Court on Saturday.
The Cherries were also knocked out of the League Cup by Burton Albion, but have won each of their last two league games with a 3-1 scoreline.
They are also unbeaten in the last five clashes between the two sides, but Pellegrini will believe that his side has what it takes to turn this around.
West Ham Team News
West Ham will still be without the duo of Michail Antonio and Winston Reid. Manuel Lanzini will make the squad, but it remains to be seen if he will make the West Ham lineup.
Ryan Fredericks limped off against Manchester United in the last league game, but is expected to be back in action this weekend.
Here is the predicted lineup the Hammers might field for this tie in search of three crucial points:
Predicted West Ham lineup (4-1-4-1)
Defence
Lukasz Fabianski has been one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the league this season. He was exceptional against Manchester United and will hope to put in a similar performance this weekend as well.
Issa Diop is slowly finding his form and was solid at the back in the last game. He will keep his place in the West Ham lineup alongside Angelo Ogbonna, who will add some mettle to the backline.
Arthur Masuaku played the full game against Oxford and should be replaced by Aaron Creswell, who scored a stunning free-kick in the victory over Manchester United. He will start at left-back while Ryan Fredericks, who has been consistent at right-back, should start as the right-back in the West Ham lineup.
Midfield
Declan Rice was rested in the mid-week game, but has been crucial to West Ham’s form in the league this season. He will start in the defensive midfield role against the Cherries and will have to keep an eye on the likes of Jefferson Lerma and indeed even Harry Wilson.
Mark Noble will add some cover to the West Ham midfield, and will start in a box-to-box role. If Lanzini doesn’t prove he is 100% fit, Pablo Fornals, who also played the full game against Oxford, may keep his place in the West Ham lineup.
Felipe Anderson came off the bench in that game but failed to make any kind of an impact. He will look to get the better of the likes of Diego Rico and Nathan Ake at the back for Bournemouth.
Andriy Yarmolenko could also keep his place in the side, starting on the other flank.
Attack
Sebastien Haller was called upon late in the League Cup game, but it was too late by then. He will hope to test Steve Cook and Ake, and lead the Hammers’ attack.
Here is how they might line up:
