David Moyes has implemented significant alterations to his starting lineup for West Ham’s clash against Bristol City on Sunday (7 January).

The Hammers, through their official Twitter account, unveiled the starting XI, featuring Lukasz Fabianski guarding the goal, accompanied by a defensive quartet comprising Vladimir Coufal, Kurt Zouma, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Emerson. In midfield, Edson Alvarez partners with Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse, while the attacking trio includes Pablo Fornals, Lucas Paqueta, and Jarrod Bowen.

This lineup adjustment sidelines Alphonse Areola, Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna, and Said Benrahma, who has been recently linked with a potential January departure from the club, all relegated to the bench following their involvement in the previous 0-0 draw with Brighton on January 2nd.

The Opportunity

For the West Ham players, this fixture presents a golden opportunity to secure a place in the FA Cup’s fourth round. While games against lower division sides can often pose unexpected challenges, Moyes’ satisfaction with drawing a lower-tier team for a home encounter is evident.

The Hammers enter the match in good form, having stayed unbeaten in their challenging encounters over the festive period against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Brighton. Moyes seeks continuity in his team’s commendable defensive performances, with three consecutive clean sheets in their recent outings.

This fixture remains crucial for the fans and the club, representing an additional chance to vie for silverware this season. It’s a contest that demands serious attention and commitment, an opportunity to progress in a competition that retains immense significance for the majority of supporters.