West Ham face Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup second round. The match takes place at the London Stadium on August 28 at 7:45 PM BST. Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to continue his club’s good run of form after winning their first game in the league last weekend, away to a promising Crystal Palace side. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham Predicted Lineup against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth in Cup Clash
How West Ham Have Lined-up Recently
Despite Lopetegui implementing a different style of football and several new transfers, which juxtaposed the preferred size of the squad to former Hammers boss David Moyes, the goalkeeper situation is still as consistent as it was last season. Alphonse Areola is almost certain to retain his position in goal in Premier League matches. However, substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will be expected to start in midweek.
The defence, however, introduced a new signing in Max Kilman, who was Lopetegui’s captain at Wolves just over a season ago. He has started both league matches so far alongside Konstantinos Mavropanos, Vladimír Coufal and Emerson. However, there will be major adaptations to the side that started away at Crystal Palace. Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks set to start after making a cameo against the Eagles in an impressive display. Jean-Clair Todibo will also be expected to make his debut despite the shutout last weekend.
Read more: West Ham ‘Currently Not Working’ on Deal for ‘Quality’ Forward Despite Rumours
Against Aston Villa, the Spanish manager opted to use three in the midfield, with new signing Guido Rodriguez, Tomáš Souček and star man Lucas Paqueta. This was the case against Crystal Palace, with the only difference that Rodriguez was positioned further back as a defensive midfielder. This is a match where newer faces and less-played players will be expected to start. Edson Alvarez returns from injury and James Ward-Prowse has yet to start this season
Following suit from pre-season, Lopetegui opted for a front three against both Unai Emery’s and Oliver Glasner’s sides. This includes Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and Michael Antonio, with new signing from Dortmund Niklas Fullkrug yet to start. Despite Antonio’s starts in the Premier League, it is anticipated that he will not start in the cup, with Fullkrug having an excellent opportunity to experience life in English football. Former Leeds United player Crysencio Summerville will also be expected to start.
West Ham’s Recent Form
West Ham didn’t have a perfect start with an underwhelming pre-season, however, they are looking onwards after their first win of the Premier League season. This came against Crystal Palace, in which they won 2-0 away.
They only won one match in pre-season, against a local National League side. Before this, West Ham’s first game under Lopetegui was a 2-2 draw away to Hungarian club Ferencvaros, where they came back from two goals down in the second half. Their fortunes did not improve in their United States pre-season tour either, losing to both Wolves and Crystal Palace on the East Coast.
Read more: Wolves ‘Close to Agreement’ for Cheap Aaron Ramsdale Alternative
On top of this, life didn’t get any better for West Ham in their opening game of the season. Despite a promising display, they narrowly fell 2-1 at home to Aston Villa. The game was very equal with possession 52/48. Moreover, West Ham had 14 shots to Villa’s 15 with both sides having three shots on target.
However, against Palace, goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen earned West Ham a first competitive win under Lopetegui. Their opposition may have had more possession, but the Hammers had more shots on target and had more shots in total, gaining a better xG than the Eagles.
Injuries for West Ham to Consider
Lopetegui currently has one restraint to his starting selection. The captain of last season, Kurt Zouma, is still out of the squad for personal reasons. Despite being a prolific and important player for Moyes, new management at the club has forced the former French international out of the London Stadium. That said, Zouma’s move to UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli is off due to a failed medical.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Bournemouth
GK – Fabianski
LB – Emerson
CB – Todibo
CB – Kilman
RB – Wan Bissaka
CDM – Alvarez
CM – Ward-Prowse
CM – Soucek
LW – Summerville
ST – Fullkrug
RW – Kudus
