West Ham get their Europa League campaign underway on Thursday when they welcome Serbian side Backa Topola at the London Stadium for their opening Group A encounter.
The Hammers were rewarded for their unforgettable Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina in June with a return to the Europa League. Having started the new Premier League season very well, hopes are high from the east London side to transform that form in Europe.
David Moyes and Co tasted their first defeat of the season—a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the weekend—and while the disappointment will have lingered for them, West Ham will be relishing a return to Europe for a third season in a row.
West Ham Team News
Summer signing Edson Alvarez is ruled out of the Europa League opener against Backa Topola after being sent off for former club Ajax in their Europa League defeat to Union Berlin back in February. In addition, the Mexican defensive midfielder was forced off against Man City—which was put down to fatigue.
David Moyes could look to use this game as a chance to rest key players and give minutes to the rest of the squad.
Predicted West Ham lineup vs Backa Topola (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Alphonse Areola has started the season as West Ham’s new No.1, playing every league game so far. Judging by previous campaigns, Moyes has used his backup goalkeeper in cup competitions, including Europe. In that regard, veteran Lukasz Fabianski should start between the sticks on Thursday.
Defence
Ahead of Fabianski, Thilo Kehrer and Aaron Cresswell should come in for Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri at full-back. Summer signing Konstantinos Mavropanos is braced for his West Ham debut against the Serbian side. He should partner Angelo Ogbonna in central defence, with Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd dropping to the bench.
Midfield
In place of the suspended Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek should get a start in midfield. The towering Czech Republic international will form the double pivot with the droppable James Ward-Prowse in the Hammers’ engine room.
Lucas Paqueta has been as influential as ever in the No.10 role this season but should be given a breather with an eye on the weekend, giving Moyes the perfect chance to hand summer signing Mohammed Kudus his first start in a West Ham shirt. With his incisive passing and vision, Kudus could play a key role in unlocking the Backa Topola defence.
Attack
Up ahead in attack, Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma should make way for Pablo Fornals and Maxwel Cornet. Fornals will be aiming to add energy and creativity from the right flank, while Cornet gets a chance to influence the proceedings in the final third off the left.
Having not featured much this season, Danny Ings needs some match sharpness and confidence. So, he could get the nod to lead the West Ham attack at the expense of Michail Antonio.