Predicting a suddenly limping West Ham squad

West Ham players picking up knocks early in the season? Seems so unlike the Hammers, doesn’t it? Well, the inevitable has happened, so maybe I have an excuse for messing up my team prediction now, right?

If West Ham and Pellegrini was ever to change up his ultra attacking formation, surely it would have been against Manchester City. Well, he didn’t and we saw how that turned out for the Hammers; exposed and taken advantage of with too many players committed forward.

Brighton started extremely well in their season opener knocking off Watford 3-0 in a surprising result. An own goal and awful defending opened the door for a Seagulls offense that took and finished their chances well. For the Hammers, stout defending and effective goalscoring will be crucial in this match.

Injuries are the biggest question mark for this match. Both Sebastien Haller and Felipe Anderson picked up knocks and it appears at least one of them won’t be making the matchday squad.

Here it is:

Lukasz Fabianski

Fredericks – Diop – Balbuena – Masuaku
Rice

Fornals – Wilshere – Lanzini – Antonio
Haller

Two changes to the team in my estimation. Arthur Masuaku draws back into the team at left-back and Michail Antonio replacing an injured Felipe Anderson while Pablo Fornals draws a start on the right side.

The team defense was bad last week, but let’s give the majority of the backline a break for their performance as Manchester City were in fine form. I think Fabian Balbuena is on thin ice but deserves a chance to prove himself, but it’s time to see why Pellegrini resigned Masuaku this offseason, and get him on the pitch.

Fornals starting is also an easy choice if Felipe Anderson is out, and judging by his Instagram story with him still in London the night before the away match in Brighton, he’ll be missing the match. Fornals has the creativity and impressed last season playing out wide, it’ll be interesting to see if he can stretch the game wide and incorporate Fredericks into the match more.

I’m in two minds about Wilshere being on the bench after picking up a slight injury against City and bringing on Andriy Yarmolenko to play 4-3-3. His lack of pace wouldn’t be as noticeable against Brighton and his tantalizing left boot could certainly make an impact.

Regardless, I’m happy with keeping the formation, keeping the overloaded attack, and keeping Sebastien Haller in the team. I believe he’ll play and I think getting on the scoresheet will heal any nagging injuries better than a week off could. This is a dangerous team and I’m still picking a West Ham win!