West Ham United will look to make it three Premier League wins on the bounce when they entertain Norwich City at the London Stadium on Wednesday.
The Hammers are fifth in the league table, just a point off fourth-placed Arsenal. They head into the midweek Premier League fixture after beating Leeds United 2-0 in the third round of FA Cup last weekend.
Norwich City, on the other hand, are reeling at the bottom of the table and desperately need to pick up wins to avoid relegation at the first time of asking. They head to West Ham after winning 1-0 against Charlton in the FA Cup third round.
West Ham United vs Norwich City – Team News
West Ham
Angelo Ogbonna, Kurt Zouma and Aaron Cresswell are on the sidelines for West Ham United, but David Moyes believes full-back Vladimir Coufal has a good chance of recovering from illness in time to face the Canaries.
Meanwhile, Said Benrahma is unavailable for the home side after teaming up with Algeria for the AFCON in Cameroon.
Lukasz Fabianski has been West Ham’s undisputed no.1 in recent seasons and should start against Norwich City. In front of Fabianski, a back four of Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop and Arthur Masuaku is expected to feature for the home side.
Declan Rice has been one of West Ham’s best players this season, and the Englishman’s ball-winning, passing and leadership skills will be key in helping his side earn all three points. He will partner the towering Tomas Soucek at the heart of the midfield, with Pablo Fornals enjoying a free role in Moyes’ side.
Manuel Lanzini has shone in recent weeks, and with Said Benrahma away for international duty, the Argentinean playmaker’s role in the team becomes even more vital. Jarrod Bowen has taken his game to the next level this season and nailed down a regular spot in the Hammers attack.
The trio of Lanzini, Bowen and Fornals will look to combine well in the final third and create opportunities for Michail Antonio up top.
Norwich City
Billy Gilmour picked up an injury in training that saw him miss out on the FA Cup fixture against Charlton. He is unlikely to feature against West Ham.
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In addition to Gilmour, the Canaries are also likely to be without Lukas Rupp, Mathias Normann, Christoph Zimmermann, Andrew Omobamidele and Todd Cantwell for the trip to West Ham.
Tim Krul should be in the Norwich goal on Wednesday, as the experienced Dutchman will aim to keep a rare clean sheet.
Grant Hanley returned to the side in the FA Cup game against Charlton at the weekend and is expected to start in central defence. Ben Gibson might get the nod ahead of Ozan Kabak to partner Hanley at centre-back. Max Aarons, one of the first names on the team sheet, will keep his place at right-back, with Brandon Williams expected to be recalled at left-back against the Hammers.
The trio of Jacob Sorensen, Kenny McLean and Pierre Lees-Melou may perhaps hold the Norwich midfield at the London Stadium. Teemu Pukki is desperate for goals and the Finnish striker will lead the Canaries attack, flanked by Josh Sargent and Milot Rashica.
West Ham United vs Norwich City – Predicted Lineups
West Ham United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Vladimir Coufal, Craig Dawson, Issa Diop, Arthur Masuaku; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Jarrod Bowen, Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals; Michail Antonio
Norwich City Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Max Aarons, Grant Hanley, Ben Gibson, Brandon Williams; Kenny McLean, Jacob Sorensen, Pierre Lees-Melou; Josh Sargent, Teemu Pukki, Milot Rashica
West Ham United vs Norwich City – Key Players
West Ham—Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini has been impressive in recent weeks and continued his good run of form with a goal in West Ham’s 2-0 victory over Leeds United in the FA Cup. The diminutive Argentinean’s sleek movement and creative passing will be important in opening up the rather shaky Norwich backline.
Norwich—Kenny McLean
Norwich City defence will need a lot of protection against West Ham. With the Canaries potentially aiming to get the first goal early in the game, Kenny McLean will have to win the midfield battles. If he is able to do that, then the Hammers will struggle to create chances.
Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Norwich City