West Ham manager David Moyes has some big decisions on his hands on Saturday but it will be a squad game to complete nine fixtures in just five weeks.
Fabianski must be a nod in between the sticks for Saturday with Darren Randolph on the bench for any injuries.
I can see him starting Ryan Fredericks at right-back but with Jeremy Ngakia on the bench if Fredericks tires after returning from a long term injury. Issa Diop should be another shoo-in for centre back but I can see Moyes dropping Declan Rice back to partner Diop instead of risking Ogbonna who I think will be on the bench.
At left-back, Aaron Cresswell is the only real choice with maybe Ben Johnson on the bench if Arthur Masuauku has not recovered from a knock.
In front of the defence, I see Tomas Soucek fulfiling this role instead of Rice.
In midfield, I predict Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Felipe Anderson with Lanzini, Noble, Wilshere and Yarmolenko on the bench.
Upfront Seb Haller and Michail Antonio behind to his right.
Starting Lineup: Fabianksi, Cresswell, Rice, Diop, Fredericks, Soucek, Fornals, Anderson, Bowen, Antonio, Haller
Subs: Randolph, Ngakia, Ogbonna, Johnson, Noble, Lanzini, Wilshere, Yarmolenko, Ajeti
We will get rinsed with that midfield
I agree with Cjn197, going forwards ok, but chasing back and getting tackles and blocks in. Somehow got to have Rice there for his fitness levels and better mobility than Noble. Only problem is fitness of Ogbonna, Balbuena seems frozen out as a starter
I like that team ,,
I like the use of Rice, if Ogbona is injured…also helped with how to get Fornals, Anderson and Antonio in the team. Plenty of options. I might be tempted to use Johnson at RB, as I’m concerned about Traore.
I also like that idea with Rice in defence. Two things Im slightly concerned about is marking Jimenez and the pace of Traore. Not sure how Bowen is backtracking so I might favour Antonio at right wing as he works and muscles; both needed against Traore (no one is pacy enough on our team so muscle needed)
Where’s Snodgrass?