West Ham travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Wednesday evening, hoping to snap their five-game losing streak in the Premier League.
The Hammers head to the game on the back of a demoralising 2-0 home defeat to Brentford, which has put David Moyes’ side level on points with 18th-placed Nottingham Forest. A run of five Premier League defeats in a row has put Moyes under tremendous pressure and he will have to start getting points to take the club out of the rut.
Up against a struggling Leeds United, who are winless in their last four outings, the Irons have to produce a better performance than the one they showed last weekend.
West Ham Team News
David Moyes almost has a fully-fit squad to choose from for West Ham United’s trip to Leeds United.
Kurt Zouma still remains out after undergoing knee surgery over the World Cup break, while multiple injury setbacks has put no timeframe on Maxwel Cornet’s return. Zouma and Cornet will play no part in the midweek Premier League fixture.
Predicted West Ham Lineup vs Leeds United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David Moyes is expected to ring changes to his side that lost to Brentford, with the Scotsman reverting to a 4-2-3-1 formation after his failed experiment with a back five. However, Lukasz Fabianski’s place is under no threat and he should start in goal as usual.
Defence
Aaron Cresswell will shift back out to his favoured left-back position following his forgettable display in a back three against Brentford, while Craig Dawson keeps his place at the heart of the West Ham backline. Nayef Aguerd was an unused substitute in the last game but should get the nod to pair up with Dawson in central defence, meaning Angelo Ogbonna drops down to the bench.
Thilo Kehrer comes in at right-back to add some much-needed youthful vibrancy and pace to the West Ham backline
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Declan Rice has been a regular fixture under Moyes and that is not going to change against Leeds. Tomas Soucek should return to the starting XI to partner Rice, thereby, pushing Lucas Paqueta into his preferred No.10 role.
West Ham’s midfield trio of Rice, Soucek and Paqueta have to be at their best to dominate an energetic and high-pressing Leeds United side in the middle of the park. Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals and Flynn Downes must again settle for spots on the bench.
Attack
Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma keep their places on the flanks, with Moyes expecting his wide forwards to trouble the Leeds defence and create meaningful opportunities in the box for Michail Antonio to flourish.
Antonio should replace Gianluca Scamacca up top after the Italy international failed to make any sort of an impact against Brentford last weekend.
