West Ham’s Predicted Starting XI vs. Wolves

Match week four is upon us and here is how West Ham should line up as they host Premier League newcomers Wolves.

The formation is key for understanding Manuel Pellegrini’s team selection and previous matches suggest it’ll be one of two. The first is 4-2-2-2 or if you’re a traditionalist 4-4-2. This formation allows for the wider players to have more midfield responsibility as well as the job of feeding two central strikers. The other more likely formation is a 4-2-3-1.

This formation was used against Liverpool and Arsenal in league play and was also utilized in the Wimbledon game (but was later abandoned for a more all-out attack). With Wilshere in one of the holding midfield positions, the formation has the ability to put offensive pressure on, as he likes to get more forward than a strict holding midfielder normally would.

So here it is, my formation and team for the match:

Fabianski
Fredericks – Diop – Balbuena – Cresswell

Wilshere – Sanchez

Yarmolenko – Anderson – Snodgrass

Arnautovic

Wolves promise a tough match and for this reason, I’ve picked Sanchez over Rice in the defensive midfield pairing. Sanchez is rock solid, looked great against Arsenal, and deserves another game as a start as it stands. Also, Cresswell draws a start after looking solid against Wimbledon. He deserves a look as Masuaku has been just “ok” so far this season.

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For center backs, the duo of Diop and Balbuena has been chosen simply because they haven’t had a chance to play together this year. Balbuena was rested against Wimbledon and has been the best center back for West Ham this season so far. Diop excelled in that match, scoring his first goal and narrowly missing another. Might as well see what we’ve got in this pairing, right?

West Ham’s attack for this match should provide a glimpse into who Pellegrini believes belongs in his best XI. Yarmolenko looked good against Wimbledon albeit a little rusty and needs to be selected over Antonio to get into form. Antonio’s pace could wreck a fatigued fullback late in a game and that aspect of his skill needs to be used more appropriately.

Maybe the most interesting aspect of this will be seeing Anderson as the #10 again. It’s clear he excelled playing with Arnautovic up the middle and looked at home in the role. With Wilshere behind him, Arnautovic in front, Snodgrass (West Ham’s MVP so far?) to his left, and Yarmolenko to his right Anderson has a multitude of options to create offensively.

This formation would not only provide a balanced opposition for Wolves but would excel at holding the ball in the oppositions half. The blanket of attacking midfielders supported by holding midfielders is perfect for short passes probing for runs into Wolves back line. I expect big things for West Ham who need to get in the points as soon as possible.