West Ham v Derby Preview: Predicted XI, Team News & Prediction

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)

West Ham United v Derby County

EFL Championship

London Stadium

Saturday 5 September 2026 – 3pm

West Ham finally have something to build on.

The 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers completely changed the outlook and morale around the football club, but now comes a very different test against Derby County.

Was Wolves the beginning of West Ham’s season or simply one excellent night?

Nuno Espírito Santo now has to make sure it’s the former.

Wolves Win Changed Everything

I suspect the Wolves victory also transformed the mood at the training ground because it was almost not worth contemplating how bad things would have become had West Ham lost that game.

Nuno was under a massive amount of pressure. Instead, the Hammers beat arguably the best team in the division and finally recorded our first Championship victory of the season.

Now we have to build on it against Derby.

Every game in the Championship is a potential banana skin, and Derby demonstrated their capabilities by beating Portsmouth 2-0 at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.

That was also Derby’s first Championship victory of the season, so both teams arrive having finally got a win on the board.

However, West Ham are at home and simply have to win.

Nuno Will Retain His 4-4-2

Nuno deployed his favoured 4-4-2 against Wolves and I fully expect him to stick with it.

Personally, I’m not a massive fan of the formation. There were plenty of things I did not like about the way West Ham played, particularly during the long periods when Wolves dominated possession.

However, it is difficult to argue against a system which produced a 4-2 victory over a team many expect to challenge for the Championship title.

My own chosen formation and line-up would be different, but I expect Nuno to keep faith with the players who delivered that victory.

Mukasa Can Become A Key Player

Divine Mukasa has to start against Derby.

I was very sceptical about Mukasa and Arne Engels operating together as a central-midfield pairing, but the youngster answered those concerns with two outstanding finishes against Wolves.

As my player ratings following the 4-2 victory reflected, Mukasa was the outstanding performer.

I believe he’s going to prove himself a key player for West Ham this season and expect him to reach double figures for goals.

If the Hammers are promoted back to the Premier League, I suspect he will have played a large part in it.

Jarrod Bowen may have another relatively quiet performance but still finish with a goal or an assist. That just seems to be the way of things with the captain, such is his efficiency.

West Ham also carry a considerable threat from corners. Bowen delivers from the right and Engels from the left, giving Nuno’s team double jeopardy from set-pieces.

It would not surprise me at all if West Ham scored from a corner in this game.

Orford Deserves Better Treatment

Lewis Orford was unlucky not to start against Wolves and very harshly treated not to make the bench at all.

Nuno named three wide players among his substitutes but could not find room for one of West Ham’s best midfielders this season.

As I wrote earlier this morning, the fact Orford apparently discovered he’d been dropped without any communication from Nuno made the decision even more disappointing.

At the very least, I would like to see Orford reinstated to the matchday squad. In truth, I would prefer him in the starting line-up.

Airidas Golambeckis was another unfortunate omission against Wolves after being West Ham’s outstanding performer at Watford.

Both youngsters have shown they are ready to contribute and should not find their routes blocked purely because more experienced players are available.

New Signings May Have To Wait

I would be tempted to start Adama Boiro, but Ollie Scarles produced probably his best performance of the season against Wolves.

For that reason, I suspect Nuno will retain Scarles at left-back and introduce Boiro gradually.

Having looked at Boiro’s numbers following his arrival, I’m particularly interested to see whether his attacking instincts can give West Ham more threat down the left.

Edvin Austbø should also start on the bench, although I would like to see him receive considerably more than a ten-minute cameo.

There is no need to throw every new arrival straight into the team, but West Ham do need more pace and creativity. Both players should get opportunities if the game allows it.

Pablo Felipe is also difficult to drop after what I thought was his best performance in a West Ham shirt.

The most basic statistic is that West Ham are far more likely to win when Pablo is in the team, so I expect him to continue alongside Taty Castellanos.

Gonzo’s Predicted West Ham Team

This is the team I believe Nuno will select rather than necessarily the XI I would personally choose.

I expect him to retain the 4-4-2 and make very few changes following the victory over Wolves.

Hermansen; Veltman, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Engels, Mukasa, Solomon; Pablo, Castellanos.

Gonzo’s Prediction

The Wolves victory should have restored confidence throughout the squad, and West Ham now need to turn that result into the beginning of a proper run.

Derby cannot be underestimated after their victory at Portsmouth, but the Hammers have greater quality and home advantage.

I expect Mukasa to continue making an impact, while West Ham’s delivery from corners could also prove decisive.

Prediction: West Ham United 3-0 Derby County