Graham Potter will ponder making a few changes to his West Ham United lineup for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the London Stadium.
The Hammers were beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Tuesday night and a poor first-half display led to Potter making three half-time changes as well as a formation change from a back three to a back four.
Niclas Fullkrug, who has recently recovered from injury, looked lively in attack after coming on at half time in place of Evan Ferguson, who has struggled to make the desired impact in the final third since joining on loan from Brighton in January. Potter may therefore be tempted to start the German up front this weekend.
Summer signing Luis Guilherme was handed his first Premier League start against Wolves, but the 19-year-old was taken off at half time and is in danger of losing his place Mohammed Kudus, who is currently a fitness doubt after missing the midweek defeat. Michail Antonio (leg) and Crysencio Summerville (thigh), meanwhile, remain sidelined with injuries.
Captain Jarrod Bowen should retain his spot in the final third, while Lucas Paqueta is another option to play further forward, if Kudus is not fit to feature, after Potter’s decision to play the Brazilian and James Ward-Prowse as a double pivot in midfield against Wolves ultimately backfired.
Midfield duo Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez will both be hoping to force their way back into the first XI, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Oliver Scarles will likely continue as wing-backs if Potter decides to stick with a three-man backline.
Jean-Clair Todibo was surprisingly omitted from the Hammers’ midweek starting lineup and will be pushing to return at centre-back ahead of Konstantinos Mavropanos, while Max Kilman and Aaron Cresswell will likely retain their starting spots as Alphonse Areola continues between the sticks.
West Ham United possible starting lineup: Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Wan-Bissaka, Alvarez, Soucek, Scarles; Paqueta, Bowen; Fullkrug
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