West Ham United face a tough seven-game run which starts with Manchester City, then sees them come up against Liverpool, Southampton, Arsenal, Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Considering this run, it is imperative that the Hammers are able to build up some confidence in the first test of it, by putting in a convincing performance against Pep Guardiola’s side.
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This is even more important considering they threw away a two-goal lead against Brighton & Hove Albion to draw 3-3 against their fellow relegation battlers.
With that in mind, FFC has put together an XI that David Moyes should utilise in an attempt to get a result, including one change in personnel from the Brighton game.
Lukasz Fabianski may have struggled against the Seagulls, punching the ball onto Angelo Ogbonna’s head for their opener, but Moyes should stick with him now he’s back. He showed last season how influential he can be by winning Hammer of the Year.
Despite the calamity that allowed Brighton back into the game, Aaron Cresswell, Ogbonna and Ryan Fredericks all keep their place in the team.
However, Issa Diop drops out, with his attempted header back to the goalkeeper for Pascal Gross’ goal being a particularly low point of that match.
With Fabian Balbuena showing himself to be unreliable this campaign, due to costly mistakes such as those against Burnley and Southampton, Declan Rice is pulled into the defence in an attempt to sure up the backline. He has played at centre-back 17 times in the past for West Ham.
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Mark Noble drops back a little bit to fill in the hole vacated by Rice, while Tomas Soucek is now partnered in the middle by Robert Snodgrass.
Jarrod Bowen coming in means he simply has to be used after scoring 16 goals and assisting another seven for Hull City in the Championship this campaign. Snodgrass’ two-goal performance against Brighton means he simply can’t be dropped.
This leaves Michail Antonio to play off the left flank, while Sebastien Haller takes his usual position at the top of the pitch.
Meanwhile, West Ham fans have been reacting to the club’s big piece of news.