West Ham United will face Leeds United on Friday night and a win will take them up to 5th place in the table.
The Hammers have got off to an uncharacteristically decent start and David Moyes will like to ensure they don’t lose the momentum anytime soon having seen a 1-goal lead slip against Manchester United last time around.
West Ham are winless against Leeds United, their next opponents, in the last 6 meetings between the two sides. But their last meeting dates back to 2012 and is unlikely to provide Bielsa’s team with any psychological edge.
EARLY TEAM NEWS
David Moyes is likely to miss out on Antonio Valencia’s services once again with the 30-year-old’s hamstring worry keeping him on the treatment table.
Andriy Yarmolenko should feature in the matchday squad after missing a month due to Coronavirus. Ryan Fredericks has missed the last three games and could remain out of action on Friday as well.
PREDICTED WEST HAM LINEUP TO FACE LEEDS UNITED (3-4-3)
DEFENCE
Lukasz Fabianski will feature in goal in the West Ham lineup. The experienced Polish international could be in for a busy afternoon, similar to the other goalkeepers who have faced the Leeds attack till now.
Moyes is unlikely to make a knee jerk reaction after the Manchester United defeat.
The backline should consist of the trio of Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna and Fabian Balbuena.
The Hammers have not let in too many goals and despite Leeds’ forward play, should back themselves to keep a clean sheet.
MIDFIELD
Declan Rice has found a reliable partner in Tomas Soucek in the middle of the park. Though not the most creative pairing, the duo manage to get the job done while screening the defence and will only get better over the course of the season.
Vladimir Coufal and Arthur Masuaku will take up the wingback slots in the West Ham lineup.
ATTACK
Jarrod Bowen would like to add to the 4 goals and an assist when he faces Leeds. The Englishman will take the right-wing slot in the West Ham lineup.
On the opposite flank, we expect to see Pablo Fornals continue. He has 2 goals and 2 assists till now but Moyes will be expecting more productivity from him going forward.
Michael Antonio will be a huge miss if he fails to get fit in time.
Sebastien Haller has continued to underwhelm but every start he gets continues to be a massive opportunity to get back his confidence and his name on the scoresheet.
WEST HAM LINEUP
