Bournemouth v West Ham Preview: Nuno makes surprise changes
A Real Test With a Much Changed Team
Espirito Santo really wasn’t joking when he said Lucas Paqueta was irreplicable was he? The Hammers gaffer appears to have dealt with the absense of his Brazilian playmaker by selecting an additional defender. Most (including myself) had expected the Paq-man to be replaced with Tomas Soucek but clearly Nuno is thinking outside the box with a change of shape to 5 at the back.
West Ham travel to the Vitality Stadium today aiming to make it three Premier League wins on the bounce — something we haven’t managed since December 2023. And while Bournemouth might look the favourites on paper, Espírito Santo’s side head into the clash with growing belief after back-to-back victories over Newcastle and Burnley.
Nuno sounded in bullish mood during his pre-match press conference but was keen to praise his opposite number Andoni Iraola who he knows well.
It’s still tight at the bottom, with West Ham sitting in the relegation zone on goal difference alone, but spirits are high at Rush Green so I’ve been told. Nuno’s men have rediscovered some fight, and there’s a sense that the Hammers are finally building momentum.
The problem? Bournemouth are absolutely flying at home. Iraola’s side have picked up 13 points from five home games (W4 D1) — second only to Manchester City.
Nuno will have much to consider given recent reports on Niclas Fullkrug’s West Ham future
Bournemouth’s Home Fortress
The Cherries have made the Vitality a tough place to visit. They’ve won four of their last five home games and haven’t lost there this season. However, Bournemouth have gone eight Premier League games without beating West Ham (D5 L3), with each of the last four meetings ending in a draw.
They’ll also be without a few key players for this one. Adam Smith, Justin Kluivert, Enes Ünal and youngster Matai Akinmboni are all out — and star forward Antoine Semenyo looks set to miss out after picking up an ankle injury on international duty with Ghana.
That’s a big boost for Nuno, because Semenyo has been in great form.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola delivered a bleak injury update ahead of the game, admitting he was frustrated by the number of players returning from international duty with problems.
“It was a really bad international break for us. Justin [Kluivert] has a muscle injury. Ben Doak is also out with his hamstring. Ben’s is a bad one and he’ll be out for some time. He might need surgery and he will be out for months.”
Semenyo could miss Saturdays game
Fullkrug Saga Rumbles On
There’s another subplot brewing — Niclas Füllkrug’s future. Reports suggest the German striker wants out in January, with his agent claiming the move to West Ham “hasn’t worked out.”
When Claret & Hugh asked a senior source about his situation, the response was blunt: “Not sure he wants to play for us — ask him.”
It’s hardly ideal preparation ahead of a huge run of fixtures that includes Liverpool, Man United and Man City. But for now, Nuno will have to focus on the players who do want to be here. Therefore it is no surprise to see Callum Wilson start todays game.
Team News and Predicted Line-Ups
West Ham are without Lucas Paquetá through suspension, while Konstantinos Mavropanos misses the game with Igor coming in. Nuno has continued with Kilman and Todibo at the back, while Tomas Souček — who’s scored off the bench in his last two games — will have to wait for his start. Espirito Santo was giving little away in his pre-match press conference but did allude to some players traning with ‘small issues’ which now appears to be Summerville who has sustained a knock.
Bournemouth (Predicted XI)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Petrovic |
| DEF | Jimenez, Milosavljevic, Senesi, Truffert |
| MID | Scott, Adams |
| ATT MID | Brooks, Kroupi, Tavernier |
| FW | Evanilson |
West Ham
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Areola |
| DEF | Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Igor, Kilman, Diouf |
| MID | Potts, Fernandes, |
| FW | Bowen, Wilson, Guilherme |
Final Thoughts
It’s fair to say this one could go either way. Bournemouth are formidable at home, but West Ham’s confidence is creeping back under Nuno.
If we can tighten things up at the back and keep Bowen and Guilherme involved, there’s every chance the Hammers could spring a surprise on the south coast — and climb out of the bottom three in the process.
It’s a massive game. A statement win here would send out exactly the right message before the the transfer window with potential transfer targets keeping an eye on the Irons form.
Summerville not even making bench could be a blow.
Nice to see Guilherme get a start and hopefully he can do something spectacular.
Soucek likely to come off bench (70 mins) but whether it’s Guilherme or Wilson goes off will depend on score.
With both teams missing key members could be close.
Yes agreed would bring in Magassa and play Fernandez further forward but I have a feeling Numo may play Dino in a back 3 , with Summerville and Bowen playing in a 4 in midfield Potts and Fernandez in middle …
If Soucek starts, we will lose this game. Unless Nuno tells Potts and Fernandes to bypass him and play into Summerville and Bowen.
Then Soucek can play more like a second striker and support Wilson in and around the box.
None of Bournemouth’s five home games have been against West Ham, though. Think we can do this one.
i thought the club were saying that Dinos and Fulkrug would be fit after the international break? Re the starting line up I would push Fernandes forward to replace Paqueta and bring Magassa in alongside Potts
Bournemouth have lost their last two, 4-0 and 3-1, last home game won 2-0 against Forest, before that conceded three at Palace. They’re not overwhelmingly good and do concede. I’m not writing it off by any means we could take points.
personally i dont wanna see soucek start atleast in midfield he just aint up to prem speed inn the middle of the park imo
Yep, I’ll second that, better Magassa with Soucek as a sub for Wilson when he flags…