West Ham United entertain London rivals Chelsea on Monday night and Slaven Bilic has some thinking to do.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic
The Hammers are sitting in the relative comfort of midtable knowing a win over their London rivals could give them hope of chasing a European place.
Victory for the Blues on the other hand would see them continue their charge to the Premier League title.
West Ham have been in good form of late and were unlucky to be held to a back-to-back draws by Watford and West Bromwich Albion.
Performances, injury situations and a ban for key man Michail Antonio means Bilic must make four changes to his side to give the Hammers the best possible chance of beating Antonio Conte’s men, just like they did in the EFL Cup at the London Stadium earlier this season.
Cheikhou Kouyate is wasted as a utility man
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.
But he is wasted at right back and gave away a clumsy penalty in the 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road.
Kouyate is one of West Ham’s best players and is sorely missed in the engine room but he has been excellent in the shielding role as part of a back three and should be moved back there.
Now or never for Sam Byram?
Byram in at right wing back
It is time Sam Byram was given a run in the side and the chance to prove himself, especially now with Antonio out and the Hammers not under any real pressure given their comfortably league position.
He is a bonafide right back, something the Hammers have missed all season long and a defender by trade so offers more stability on the right hand side.
Andre Ayew impressed and scored against Watford last time out
Ayew in for Snodgrass
New signing Snodgrass has not done anything of note since signing for the Hammers for £10million from Hull City in January.
He was dreadful against Watford and was dragged off in the second half. His work rate can’t be questioned but he needs to up his game to keep his place in a competitive Hammers midfield.
Ayew looked sharp against Watford on his return from African Nations duty and got the equaliser. He should come in for the Scotland international.
Andy Carroll should be fit to replace suspended Antonio up front against the Blues
Carroll in for Antonio
The big man is back and should be fit enough to resume his fine recent form after another injury lay-off.
If he is fit he should start given his importance to the team, his recent form against Chelsea and Bilic’s lack of other options with key man Antonio suspended after his late sending off for two bookings against the Hornets.
If Carroll is only fit enough for the bench expect to see Ayew up front and Snodgrass given another change to impress as playmaker.
Sofiane Feghouli
Feghouli benched
Sofiane Feghouli has improved of late but he still flatters to deceive for long periods of the game.
He played well in fits and starts against Watford but Ayew looked sharp when he came on and if Carroll is fit Feghouli must be sacrificed to accommodate the Ghanaian and the big Geordie in the same side.
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