After what feels like a month without football, the Premier League finally returns for under pressure Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham side. With disciplinary bans in place for Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus, plus the injury to Niclas Fullkrug, the Hammers’ head coach faces selection challenges as he looks to try and improve the team performance from the desperate dull draw against Everton.
The challenge of improving the Hammers’ porous and ponderous midfield is high on Lopetegu’s ‘must-do’ list. Rumours before the game that Lucas Paquetá had a knock further limited the coach’s choices – would there be a first start for Andrew Irving? And speculation was rife that West Ham would revert to French goal keeper Alphonse Areola after he lost his place to Lucas Fabianski.
The team news is in!
Fabianski Keeps his place, Lucas Paquetá starts and Rodriguez is dropped .
West Ham United
Fabisanksi | Wan Bissaka, Todino, Kilman, Emerson,| Soler, Soucek, Paquetá | Bowen, Summerville, Antonio
