David Moyes has got his West Ham United career off to a disastrous start and it could get worse with a trip to champions elect Manchester City this Sunday.
West Ham have lost two and drawn one of the three games under Moyes so far, shipping seven goals and scoring only one.
The matches against Watford, Leicester City and Everton were billed as hugely important to the Hammers’ survival hopes given their daunting run of fixtures in December which includes consecutive games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
A 4-0 drubbing against fellow strugglers Everton last time out has left confidence at a new low and if Moyes could make 11 changes for the trip to Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten City he probably would.
The Scotsman’s hand will be forced on at least three changes at the Etihad while he looks set to make as many as six in total after some woeful displays at Goodison Park.
Adrian in Joe Hart
Adrian will come in to replace on loan Joe Hart who is ineligible to play against his parent club. But given the England ‘keeper’s terrible form for the Hammers this season it is perhaps a change which should have come much sooner.
Adrian played the last time West Ham won a game, in the Carabao Cup against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley and supporters will be hoping he has a point to prove as he will certainly be busy against City.
Declan Rice in for Winston Reid
Word is that injury-prone Winston Reid is injured yet again and out of Sunday’s game. With Jose Fonte and James Collins also injured it leaves Moyes short of options and Rice will have to step up, either into midfield with Cheikhou Kouyate dropping to centre back or as a straight swap for Reid.
Mark Noble and Edimilson Fernandes in for Arthur Masuaku and Pedro Obiang
Pedro Obiang has looked out of sorts since Moyes’ arrival and is badly exposed when West Ham play a back four. He will likely make way for captain Mark Noble while Arthur Masuaku was also disappointing after a bright start, he will be replaced by the energetic Edimilson Fernandes.
Michail Antonio in for Manuel Lanzini
Manuel Lanzini has been a passenger in recent games just when West Ham need him to step up and be their main man. He will come out of the team for Michail Antonio.
Diafra Sakho in for Andre Ayew
Ayew is not the answer up front on his own for West Ham and with Javier Hernandez still injured and Andy Carroll out yet again Diafra Sakho should finally get the start he craves and deserves. His presence nearly changed the game in West Ham’s favour after he came on as a half-time substitute against Everton and his mobility and pace should make the Hammers more dynamic up front.
Predicted West Ham team to face Manchester City
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