West Ham vs West Brom | Match Preview and Predicted XIs
West Ham return to Premier League action at the London Stadium as they take on Robert Snodgrass’ new side, West Brom.
After beating Burnley on Saturday, West Ham are looking up the table rather than down. The Hammers will now have to face an improving West Brom side managed by Sam Allardyce. The Baggies also have another former Hammer in Robert Snodgrass after his transfer went through last week.
West Ham Team News
David Moyes’ biggest concern will be over the fitness of Michail Antonio. The striker was the match-winner against Burnley on his first start after returning from injury. the issue is with the matches in such a short space of time there is a risk Antonio could reinjure himself. The striker is already been listed as a doubt for the match, meaning Moyes must get creative with the striker role.
There would have been hope amongst fans that a new striker would have signed for the club by now. Antonio is the only senior striker at the club after the sale of Sebastien Haller and the club are scrambling to find a replacement. It is highly unlikely that a new face will be in line to start against the Baggies.
In this case, Moyes has a couple of options. One is to change the system and deploy a false nine with either Jarrod Bowen or Said Benrahma as the centre-forward. The other option is to play the same system with one of Andriy Yarmlenko or youngster Ademipo Obudeko in the striker position.
The good news is there isn’t any other major injury concerns. Arthur Masuaku is still the only long-term absentee from the squad. This means that the team will likely line up with a traditional back four.
Predicted Starting XIs
West Ham Formation | 4-1-4-1
Fabianski, Coufal, Ogbonna, Dawson, Cresswell, Rice, Bowen, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma & Yarmolenko.
West Bromwich Albion Formation | 4-2-3-1
Johnstone, O’Shea, Ajayi, Bartley, Gibbs, Livermore, Sawyers, Snodgrass, Pereira, Grosicki & Grant
Match Prediction
This match seems like the ultimate chance for West Ham to really ‘West Ham’ themselves. With former manager Allardyce and players Snodgrass and Grady Diangana there is the opportunity for a karma incensed strike.
The Hammers have really grown in the last year and have seemed to cut out a lot of errors and lack effort against teams lower in the table. The team has a lot more quality in the squad then the visitors and should have enough to earn another victory.
This should also be the case even if Antonio misses out. Moyes’ side has been spreading the goals over the pitch in the last few months. Tomas Soucek is currently the clubs top scorer in the League and could grab himself another goal against the Baggies.
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Score Prediction 2-1
The Hammers have been creating plenty of chances in their recent games and could start to find the net with a bit more frequency against West Brom. Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen are the predicted goalscorers for West Ham. Though it would not be surprising to see Snodgrass score a screamer against his former side.