West Ham United face Leeds United on Saturday, in a match they are expected to win. The Hammers have had a superb start to the season, losing just one game in all competitions this season, which came against Manchester United in the league last weekend. But, they hit back on Wednesday, defeating the Red Devils in the League Cup.
David Moyes’ men are currently eighth on the league table with eight points from five games. They will go into the weekend’s game as favourites given their good form and their opponents’ poor start to the league season.
Let’s take a look at the possible West Ham lineup against Leeds United.
Early Team News
Right-back Ryan Fredericks, who played a key part in the Hammers’ only goal against Manchester United on Wednesday, suffered an injury and will likely be out for Saturday’s game.
Striker Michail Antonio was available for Wednesday’s game after serving his one-match ban, but wasn’t in the squad. He will surely be in Saturday’s squad.
PREDICTED WEST HAM LINEUP VS LEEDS UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Alphonse Areola started in place of Lukasz Fabianski in Wednesday’s League Cup game and had a good outing, but the latter should start once again in the West Ham lineup against Leeds United in the league.
Defence
Kurt Zouma had a good game against Manchester United in the league last weekend and he should start once again. Craig Dawson played the full game against United in the League Cup and is unlikely to play again this weekend.
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna will be the options for David Moyes to partner with Zouma in the West Ham lineup. Ogbonna could get the nod to give the Hammers a left foot-right foot balance.
Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Cresswell should start at right-back and left-back, respectively. The likes of Ben Johnson and Arthur Masuaku will be options in full-back positions.
Midfield
Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice were both rested for the League Cup game, but both should return to the West Ham lineup for the game against Leeds United. Pablo Fornals or Said Benrahma should start in the No. 10 role for the Hammers.
Alex Kral – who made his first start in the League Cup, and Mark Noble should be options in central midfield. Manuel Lanzini, who scored the winning goal in the League Cup, could be another option in the No. 10 position.
Attack
Jarrod Bowen should start on the right side of attack, while Fornals or Benrahma will start on the opposite side in the West Ham lineup.
In-form Michail Antonio, who was sent off in his last league game, should return to the starting XI as the central striker.
