West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on October 1, so HITC Sport have taken an early look at predicting the XI David Moyes fields against Wolves.
The Irons entered the international break on the back of a trip to Goodison Park on Sunday to face Everton. The Premier League campaign has not been a perfect blend of results thus far this term for the Hammers, with Declan Rice unable to captain the club to many points.
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West Ham have spent far more time at the wrong end of the table than Moyes would have expected. But the Scot has overseen an unbeaten beginning to the Irons’ run in the Europa Conference League, ahead of an upcoming visit to Group B rivals Anderlecht on October 6.
The international break now offers Moyes a chance to assess how his side is shaping up in the Premier League and Europe. It also provides those not called up by their national sides a chance to rest and recover, ahead of playing in a total of nine matches through October.
Moyes will additionally hope those representing their countries return injury free, with the Irons meeting Anderlecht twice in Europe, plus trips to Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League next month. They also play with just two days of rest on five occasions.
So, while injuries could crop up and blight Moyes’ plans to prepare for Wolves’ visit to the London Stadium, HITC Sport have taken a very early look at a predicted the West Ham XI.
Lukasz Fabianski (GK): Veteran remains West Ham No.1 ahead of Wolves clash
While West Ham paid Paris Saint-Germain £7.75m to retain Alphonse Areola after his loan this summer, Moyes has kept faith in Lukasz Fabianski. The 37-year-old has proven during the early games he is still the Scot’s No.1 in the Premier League and will likely face Wolves.
Vladimir Coufal (RB): Moyes will want to see more defensively against Wolves
Vladimir Coufal is continually a key presence in West Ham’s attacking efforts on the right-hand channel, and will look to test Wolves. But Moyes will want to see more from the 30-year-old Czech Republic ace defensively, having allowed a number of goalscoring chances.
Thilo Kehrer (CB): PSG purchase proving value for money in east London
Thilo Kehrer is proving to be value for money since West Ham purchased the centre-back from Paris Saint-Germain for £10m plus add-ons this August. He has made the right-sided slot at the London Stadium his own, and is showing to be a solid buy whilst in possession.
Kurt Zouma (CB): Frenchman is back to his best in claret-and-blue
Moyes is surely itching to unleash their £30m summer signing, Nayef Aguerd. But with the Moroccan out until around mid-October after ankle surgery, West Ham will likely stick to a backline pairing of Kehrer and Kurt Zouma – back to his imposing best in claret-and-blue.
Emerson (LB): Aaron Cresswell could struggle to keep out new boy from Chelsea
Aaron Cresswell could struggle to keep Emerson Palmieri out of the West Ham XI to meet Wolves. While the former has not hit great heights with his form so far this season, Moyes’ £15m buy from Chelsea has shown plenty of attacking potential whilst still finding his feet.
Declan Rice (CDM): England ace to captain West Ham XI vs Wolves
Rice will now cast his mind ahead to England’s final UEFA Nations League fixtures with Italy and Germany. But Moyes will already be looking forward to seeing the 23-year-old captain the West Ham XI against Wolves, offering a driven box-to-box presence who sets the tone.
Tomas Soucek (CDM): International break came at the wrong time
The international break has possibly come at the wrong time for West Ham with Czech star Tomas Soucek. He had a slow start to the season with a few sloppy displays, but hit form in recent weeks. The 27-year-old also found his attacking threat to score against Tottenham.
Jarrod Bowen (RM): England camp could do wonders for West Ham winger
Being a part of the England camp could do wonders for Jarrod Bowen ahead of West Ham hosting Wolves. The winger is yet to rediscover the form he had last season to tear up the Premier League with 12 goals and 12 assists. So, the new scenery could be just the ticket.
Lucas Paqueta (CAM): international break an inconvenience for club-record signing
Lucas Paqueta tips the West Ham midfield in our predicted Irons XI to face Wolves. But the timing of the international break is an inconvenience for Moyes, who will have liked to use the gap to help £51m record signing settle after a last-ditch move from Lyon during August.
Pablo Fornals (LM): Spaniard making the left-sided spot his own
Pablo Fornals is making the left-sided spot in West Ham’s midfield his own, and will be one expecting to start in their XI against Wolves. He helped kick off the Irons’ improved run of results with a goal against Aston Villa. But his hard graft now needs to return consistency.
Gianluca Scamacca (ST): Time to take Conference League form to Premier League
The return of Premier League football following the international break must be Gianluca Scamacca’s time to take his Europa Conference League form into the domestic game. The £30.5m signing from Sassuolo hit his third in four UEFA ties in stunning style at Silkeborg.
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