Slaven Bilic looks to have a straightforward selection job on his hands this weekend although this man always has the ability to spring a surprise or two.
With Aaron Cresswell suspended it will be a surprise if he doesn’t return to a flat back four with Angelo Ogbonna switching to the left back role.
Havard Nortveidt looks set to some in at right back with probably Cheik Kouyate partnering the highly impressive Winston Reid at central defence.
Kouyate has always had the ability to play well at the back and with Pedro Obiang in impressive form it allows him to join Antonio, Noble, and Lanzini in midfield.
With Payet playing behind Zaza, this looks Slav’s strongest line up as we continue to await the return of and Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho.
Hammers (likely line up): Adrian; Nortveidt, Kouyate, Reid Ogbonna; Antonio, Noble, Obiang, Lanzini, Payet, Zaza.
Cresswell injured?
Just wanted to correct that, Cresswell is not injured, he was the subject of two abject refereeing decisions by Martin Atkinson. If I was as bad at my job, I would probably be sacked yet they get away with it time and again!
If it’s a flat back 4 with Nordeidt at RB I doubt if Kouyate would play centre back, only because he will need a communicative experienced CB to keep Nordveidt positioned correctly, like you say though we all may be wrong he may surprise us, Defoe is very different to the threat from Benteke and later Wickham, Defoe is quick and mobile so maybe he will go for Kouyate or dare is say it Oxford at CB one thing is for sure Defoe will be looking forward to having defenders he can exploit so who ever is picked we need to try and starve the supply to Defoe and keep the ball as often as possible in Sunderlands half.
This is the 11 I think would be picked Adrian, Ogbonna, Reid, Collins, Nordveidt, Antonio, Noble, Lanzini, Obiang, Payet, Zaza.
Tough to call though am looking forward to it, glad the ticket exchange is finally working and i was able to pick my own seat 🙂 COYI
Where has Arbeloa gone? I thought he was brought in to give us a RB option? Is he injured? Must be, otherwise I can’t understand why he’s being overlooked…
Also, where is Collins? I’m not sure I would put him at CB against Defoe, but still wondering where he is…
Personally, I would partner Reid with Oxford, with Ogbonna left and Arbeloa right. I love Kouyate, but I think Obiang deserves a continued run in the side, so should go with Noble, Obiang, Antonio and Payet with Lanzini just behind Zaza, who deserves another game after his efforts last week. If he can’t score against this Sunderland team, then I fear it might be curtains for him. We need a striker, not a marathon runner…