West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic must make five changes to his side if they are to beat Watford on Saturday.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
The Hammers are sitting in the relative comfort of midtable knowing a win at Vicarage Road could give them hope of chasing a European place.
Victory for the Hornets on the other hand would see them leapfrog the East Londoners.
West Ham have been in good form of late and were desperately unlucky to be held to a 2-2 draw by West Bromwich Albion last time out.
Performances and injury situations mean Bilic must make five changes to his side to give the Hammers the best possible chance of beating Walter Mazzarri’s men and exacting some revenge for a 4-2 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
West Ham United’s Darren Randolph in action
Adrian in for Randolph
In many supporters’ eyes their two goalkeepers are as good as eachother. But many have been left unconvinced by Randolph’s all round game in recent weeks and feel their cult hero Spaniard deserves to come back into the side.
Adrian was dropped for a loss of form and it could be argued Randolph has simply not been making saves to warrant keeping his place, particularly as he looks very suspect on crosses into the box.
Mr Versatile Cheikhou Kouyate
Kouyate alongside Fonte and Reid in back three
Bilic should switch to the 3-4-3 formation for this one. Midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate is West Ham’s Mr Versatile having played right back in the games against Southampton and West Brom.
While he is sorely missed in the engine room he has been excellent in the shielding role as part of a back three.
He helps the Hammers break out on counter attacks with his boundless energy and pace and could prove vital.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring against Watford earlier this season
Antonio at right wing back
With Kouyate in a back three, Antonio should drop into the right wing back role where he can rampage up and down and cause Watford plenty of problems while also pinning back the adventurous Jose Holebas.
While he prefers playing as the striker or at least on the wing, Antonio actually has a better scoring and assist ratio when he attacks from deeper positions.
West Ham United’s Edimilson Fernandes has been impressive this season
Fernandes in for Noble
The most unlikely change of all but one many Hammers fans would agree with, Edimilson Fernandes coming into the side for Mark Noble.
The Hammers have plenty of leaders in the side now with the likes of Fonte, Reid and Snodgrass so there is not the issue over the captaincy and leadership.
Noble is a steady Premier League player but Fernandes offers much more pace, energy even an eye for goal. With Kouyate having to play out of position Pedro Obiang needs a more energetic presence alongside him in the middle of the park and Fernandes provides that, as well as an infectious youthful exuberance.
Andre Ayew
Ayew in for Feghouli
Andre Ayew is back from African Nations duty and has declared himself fit and finally fully recovered from the thigh injury which has blighted his debut season following the £20.5 million move from Swansea City.
Sofiane Feghouli has been performing better of late but still flatters to deceive for large portions of the game.
He should make way for Ayew who can take Antonio’s place up front in the absence of injured striker Andy Carroll.
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