Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United face a surprisingly poor Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:00. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham Predicted Lineup.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
How West Ham Have Lined up Recently
Alphonse Areola has returned to first-team football after he was sidelined with injury. He replaced the injured Polish international Lukasz Fabianski who had started the last eight matches for Lopetegui’s side before the Liverpool match. That being said, Fabianski was stretchered off in their last match where his side beat bottom-of-the-league Southampton 1-0 away.
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Against Southampton and Liverpool, Lopetegui had to make a few changes to his defence due to injuries. Vladimir Coufal started over Emerson with Max Kilman returning from injury to replace Jean-Clair Todibo. The Hammers have kept three clean sheets in their last ten matches. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been at right back consistently.
The midfield has also been consistent, with Lopetegui preferring two defensive midfielders. This has usually been Tomas Soucek with Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez rotating between themselves. That being said, due to suspension, both Soucek and Rodriguez will miss this match. Carlos Soler returned to action after serving his one-match suspension. He replaced Crysencio Summerville who was benched for the previous match despite positive recent performances.
Lucas Paqueta looks to keep his place in midfield. Jarrod Bowen returns to the right wing after Niklas Fullkrug has made appearances up front for the Hammers after coming on as a substitute. He has two goal involvements in nine appearances since joining from Dortmund.
West Ham Recent Form
West Ham sit 13th in the Premier League, just one point behind Tottenham and Brentford. However, their last match saw their four-game unbeaten run come to an end when they were thrashed 5-0 at home to top-of-the-league Liverpool. The last time West Ham conceded five goals in a match at home came just three home matches prior when West Ham lost 5-2 to Arsenal.
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This result occurred just after it looked as if Lopetegui was changing fortunes at West Ham. After a 2-1 home win over Wolves and draws to Brighton and Bournemouth, the Hammers travelled to St Mary’s on Boxing Day where they beat Southampton 1-0. This was Ivan Juric’s first match in charge of the Saints.
West Ham Injuries to Consider
Lopetegui has confirmed four absences for West Ham’s next match. One player that will not be available is Fabianski, who picked up a very worrying injury against Southampton. Lopetegui commented on Fabianski’s injury, stating “I talk with him. The doctors say that he feels better and well. I am positive with him.”
Bowen is sidelined with a foot injury until the start of February. He was substituted with the injury in the second half of West Ham’s defeat to Liverpool. Kilman is a doubt for the match, picking up a shoulder injury against Southampton, but he still may be fit enough to play. Antonio is out for the foreseeable future after his car accident, albeit he has been discharged from hospital.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Manchester City
GK – Areola
LB – Emerson
CB – Tobido
CB – Mavropanos
RB – Wan-Bissaka
CM – Paqueta
CM – Alvarez
LW – Kudus
CM – Soler
RW – Summerville
ST – Fullkrug
