Hammers boss Graham Potter returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since being sacked in 2023. A victory for the visitors would put them above both Spurs and Manchester United in the table. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham Predicted Lineup for the 8 pm kickoff on February 3rd.
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West Ham Predicted Line-up vs Chelsea
How West Ham Have Lined Up Recently
Potter has lined up with West Ham in a 3-4-2-1, changing from Julen Lopetegui’s formation. Alphonse Areola will be expected to start in goal for West Ham. Lucasz Fabianski replaced the injured Areola for nine consecutive matches before getting injured in a 1-0 away win against Southampton.
The back four last time out against Aston Villa in the FA Cup was Oliver Scarles at left-back, Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos as the centre-back partnership and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back. However against Fulham and Crystal Palace in the league, Emerson returned to full fitness, being positioned at left back replacing Scarles. We predict a back three of Aaron Cresswell, Kilman and Mavropanos.
Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek started as CDMs, with Guido Rodriguez making sporadic appearances. Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus have played on the wings with Crysencio Summerville slotting in when his side has suspensions or injuries. Lucas Paqueta and Carlos Soler play as the attacking midfielder between the wingers. Niklas Fullkrug started in the FA Cup against Villa but was substituted due to injury.
West Ham’s Recent Form
Potter’s first match in charge of the Hammers was a 2-1 away defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round. Paqueta opened the scoring in the first ten minutes when West Ham went on a quick attack. The lead lasted until the 71st minute when the hosts gained an equaliser scoring from a corner. Villa took the lead five minutes later.
However, in Potter’s first league match, West Ham beat Fulham 3-2 at the London Stadium. Since then, he has lost at home to Crystal Palace and more recently drew to Aston Villa away. Jacob Ramsay scored in the opening eight minutes for the hosts but Emerson scored twenty minutes before the final whistle to gain a well-deserved point.
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West Ham Injuries to Consider
Potter will have six injuries to consider in his team selection. Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta are both doubtful for the match with minor injuries. Jarrod Bowen is expected to return soon, but he is ruled out with a foot injury until the end of the month. The same goes for Jean-Clair Todibo, who is out with a muscle injury and Niclas Fullkrug, who is out with a hamstring injury. Michael Antonio will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Chelsea
GK – Areola
LCB – Cresswell
CB – Kilman
RCB – Mavropanos
LWB – Emerson
CM – Soler
CM – Alvarez
RWB – Wan-Bissaka
CAM – Soucek
CAM – Kudus
ST – Ings
