West Ham will look to build momentum heading into the final games of the season as they host Manchester City on Sunday.
David Moyes’ men had been on a woeful run of form in which they’d gone four Premier League games without a victory and exited the Europa League at the semi-final stage, but got back on track with a big 4-0 win at Norwich last time out.
Looking to leapfrog Manchester United into sixth place before the final day, the Hammers need a win against a City side bulldozing its way to the title. Here’s how Moyes could set his men up to upset the odds.
GK: Lukasz Fabianski – The Hammers’ preferred shot-stopper for league matters, Fabianski is in line for a 36th Premier League outing this season.
RB: Vladimir Coufal – Likely to be favoured over Ben Johnson, having started his side’s last three in the league.
CB: Craig Dawson – A slight doubt after picking up a niggle at Carrow Road, but should be okay to start even with Issa Diop’s expected return to the matchday squad.
CB: Kurt Zouma – Has played every minute since his surprise return to fitness in the first leg of West Ham’s Europa League semi-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt, and will likely continue.
LB: Aaron Cresswell – A guaranteed starter for the Hammers on course for a 17th consecutive league start.
CM: Tomas Soucek – Was left on the bench last time out but should come into the side in what will likely be a slightly more defensively sound system for the hosts.
CM: Declan Rice – The Young Player of the Season nominee’s future isn’t exactly certain, but his leading the Hammers out against City is.
AM: Manuel Lanzini – Will likely be pushed into a more advanced role to make up for Said Benrahma’s possible injury-enforced absence.
RW: Jarrod Bowen – Having just been nominated for the Player of the Season award, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the forward start – looking to build on his 22 Premier League goal involvements so far this term.
ST: Michail Antonio – Also sustained a knock at Norwich last time out, but Moyes is hopeful of the striker’s availability.
LW: Pablo Fornals – Started in midfield last time out but, due to Moyes’ expected preference for a more defensive set-up and Benrahma’s likely absence, the Spaniard could return to a left-wing role.
