What will West Ham's starting line-up be against Nottingham Forest?
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David Moyes’ West Ham United are in a genuine and serious relegation battle with The Hammers’ most recent outing, a 2-0 defeat at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, meaning they sit in the bottom three and the relegation places. The Scotsman is struggling to find a formula for collecting much-needed points.
Last weekend, The Hammers’ defence included a German, Italian and Moroccan international. The latter, Nayef Ageurd, reached the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup just a couple of months ago. Despite the pedigree on show, the lack of Kurt Zouma, due to injury, and Craig Dawson, due to his January transfer window sale, does appear to be lacking something.
Moyes may well be tempted to revert to a back four against Nottingham Forest, especially with home advantage. If so, Aaron Cresswell coming in as a steadier left full-back, ahead of Emerson Palmieri, would not be a major surprise – it would, however, be a surprise, though, as the aforementioned back three will expect to start.
Tomas Soucek’s form has dipped but due to a lack of options, exacerbated by Moyes’ reluctance to play either Flynn Downes or Pablo Fornals alongside Declan Rice, the Czech international looks set to start alongside the Englishman once again in a midfield two.
Downes did come into the eleven last weekend in a more advanced role but that appeared to be in order to add an extra body into midfield, rather than hurt Tottenham going forward. At home, The Hammers should be willing to ‘go for it’ a bit more with Jarrod Bowen a certainty and Michail Antonio, for whatever reason, also being almost nailed on ahead of both Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings.
Lucas Paqueta’s injury complicates the matter because he would and should be instrumental in a 4-2-3-1 system but, instead, either or both of Manuel Lanzini and Said Benrahma will likely start, with Benrahma the most likely if it is to remain a 3-4-2-1.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd; Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Emerson; Bowen, Benrahma; Antonio
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Zouma (Fitness), Paqueta (Fitness), Cornet (Fitness)
