West Ham United entertain Burnley tomorrow knowing a win is crucial in the battle to survive this season.
David Moyes’ side had turned a corner when a 2-0 win over Watford elevated them up to midtable and onto 30 points.
But back-to-back 4-1 defeats to Liverpool and relegation rivals Swansea City has dragged the Hammers back into the thick of things in one of the most congested survival battles in recent memory.
Supporters are furious with the side’s performances of late and many fear they have hit poor form at the wrong time with rivals steadily improving.
West Ham face an obdurate Burnley side who visit the London Stadium with one of the best away records in the country.
It won’t be easy for the Hammers and they will need to show a reaction to the pathetic display in Wales last week if they are to get anything.
One person who looks certain to react to that defeat is Moyes, with as many as four changes in the offing to the side which started against the Swans.
Joe Hart in for Adrian
The most controversial of the changes and the one in the balance perhaps is bringing Joe Hart back into the side in place of Adrian. The Spaniard has been in poor form ever since gifting Newcastle a goal in a 3-2 defeat and was again at fault during the game against Swansea. Many feel he is still a better bet than Hart but Moyes may feel he has to bring the England man into the team to remain consistent with his team selection given the circumstances in which Hart lost the number one shirt.
Angelo Ogbonna in for Declan Rice
Young Rice has just been called up to the senior Ireland squad but has been at fault for goals in a number of his recent appearances. That is only to be expected of one so young but West Ham must go with experience here and Italian international Ogbonna will return to the side after recovering from a bug.
James Collins in for Winston Reid
Straightforward one this as Reid has been ruled out of the season with a knee injury picked up against Swansea. West Ham need Collins to step up now more than ever and he has never let them down before.
Michail Antonio in for Javier Hernandez
West Ham desperately need more pace and power in the side and quite why Moyes has only used Antonio as a sub in the last few games after a great performance against Watford only he knows. Two goals as sub in those games will surely see him come back into the side in place of Hernandez who continues to flatter to deceive in his all round play and effort. Antonio and Marko Arnautovic struck up a really strong partnership as the Hammers turned the corner under Moyes over Christmas and with Manuel Lanzini in behind it looks a very mobile and threatening attack.
West Ham predicted team to face Burnley
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