Nuno Espirito Santo is expected to alter his West Ham line-up for Sunday’s visit of high-flying Aston Villa, with two changes likely but one decision in particular set to frustrate sections of the fanbase.
The Hammers welcome the league’s form side to the London Stadium, with Unai Emery’s men having collected more points than anyone else in the Premier League over the past two and a half months.
It will also be a poignant afternoon in east London, as the club pay tribute to legendary former captain Billy Bonds before kick-off.
On the football side, Nuno will be demanding a display full of commitment and resilience as West Ham look to strengthen their grip on top-flight survival.
A victory could move the Hammers out of the bottom three and up to 16th, depending on results elsewhere, with Leeds and Nottingham Forest both facing tough assignments.
Villa pose a huge test
Overcoming Aston Villa will be a major challenge. They have won nine of their last ten league matches, a run that has lifted them to third place. Another win would move them to within three points of leaders Arsenal.
West Ham’s recent record against Villa is also a concern. After once beating them five times in succession, the Irons are now winless in their last five Premier League meetings with the Midlands side.
Jarrod Bowen will again be central to West Ham’s hopes. The skipper is closing in on a century of combined goals and assists in the Premier League for the club, having scored 60 and set up 39.
Nuno also has to factor in the upcoming departure of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the Africa Cup of Nations after this match, though both are expected to start here before attention turns to next week’s trip to Manchester City.
Defensive and attacking tweaks expected
Tactically, Nuno is likely to switch back to a back four. That points towards one centre-back making way.
Max Kilman has struggled for form this season and was recently dropped, with Konstantinos Mavropanos partnering Jean-Clair Todibo instead. Kilman returned at Brighton in a back three, but Mavropanos endured a difficult end to that match, failing to win a foul before the equaliser and then missing a late chance.
The expectation is that Kilman will drop out again, with Freddie Potts coming into midfield as part of the first change.
The second alteration should see Callum Wilson restored to the starting line-up. The striker was rested at Brighton due to workload concerns but made a decisive impact off the bench by assisting Bowen. He is set to replace Guido Rodriguez, who started unexpectedly in midweek.
Magassa set to miss out again
One notable omission looks set to be Soungoutou Magassa. The French midfielder impressed hugely against Manchester United and followed that with a strong showing in training, yet he appears destined for another place on the bench.
Supporters have been vocal in their admiration for the former Monaco man, believing his presence adds much-needed bite and balance to the midfield alongside Potts and Mateus Fernandes.
However, Nuno remains keen to start Lucas Paqueta whenever he is fit, a stance that could again leave Magassa watching on.
Predicted West Ham XI
Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Diouf; Potts, Fernandes, Paqueta; Summerville, Bowen, Wilson.
The official teams will be confirmed at 12.45pm ahead of the 2pm kick-off, which will be shown live on Sky Sports.