The Battle of the Three Centre-Backs; West Ham Predicted XI

Since their promotion, Wolves have had great success with wingbacks and three centre-backs. Now against them, West Ham will look to emulate this formation in this predicted XI.

A strong showing against Arsenal where West Ham deserved something last weekend has hopes high and offers a potential new-look Hammers set up for this Wolves match and beyond. Pace up the wing and three central defenders seemed to mobilize this team and should be expanded upon for this match, too.

Ryan Fredericks and Arthur Masuaku are pivotal in their roles as wingbacks. Both are not defensive specialists but both thrive in wider, more advanced roles. Fredericks pace and delivery have been on display, while Masuaku’s passing and dribbling have livened up a dead left flank.

The real question about this team lies in the usage of Declan Rice. With Issa Diop out with COVID-19, Rice could be moved back to centre-back to alleviate the loss of the team’s second-best centre-half. But should Moyes hollow out his midfield in order to strengthen his backline?

Here is the predicted team and bench to face Wolves:

Fabianski
Fredericks – Alese – Ogbonna – Cresswell – Masuaku
Rice – Soucek
Bowen – Haller – Antonio

Bench: Randolph, Johnson, Balbuena, Fornals, Anderson, Noble, Yarmolenko

Well, there it is! Aji Alese’s absence from the U23s match this weekend suggests he could be in contention to start after thriving in the Carabao Cup win over Hull City this past week. There is also the likelihood that Balbuena could start and Alese provides cover from the bench if Moyes and Irvine opt for the safer route.

The midfield chooses itself, but there is a notable omission of Manuel Lanzini on the bench. Call him a Cup player being rested for the Wednesday match against Everton, Lanzini in a central attacking midfield role just doesn’t have a place in this team, whereas Fornals has impressed out wide, unnaturally so.

Speaking of Fornals, he loses out to Sebastien Haller who needs to start playing more regularly in the Premier League. This shifts Michail Antonio to the left-wing and keeps Jarrod Bowen on the right, providing pace and service to the big man in the middle.

There is a high chance that this team isn’t picked, however, the formation should be a lock. With Moyes managing virtually and Alan Irvine pulling the strings on the touchline, the boat probably won’t be rocked too much from the Arsenal match where a very similar team thrived.