West Ham will be hoping to pick up their third consecutive win against Norwich City this weekend. The Hammers beat Watford last Saturday and followed that up with a victory over Newport County in the EFL Cup.
The midweek win over the Exiles has given Manuel Pellegrini some food for thought. Does he keep the same line-up that beat Watford last week? Or does he make changes based on the evidence of Tuesday night? Here are three West Ham players who will be pushing for a spot in the starting line-up.
Fabian Balbuena
Pellegrini reverted back to last season’s first-choice central defensive pairing against Newport. Angelo Ogbonna was rested so Fabian Balbuena played alongside Issa Diop at the back.
Diop will keep his place in the West Ham team. But the fight between Balbuena and Ogbonna is ongoing. The Paraguay defender will be hoping the clean sheet did not enough to earn him a recall, although Pellegrini will probably stick with Ogbonna.
Pablo Fornals
Pablo Fornals has been limited to substitute cameos in the Premier League so far this season. The Spaniard is still getting up to speed with the English game but Tuesday night’s performance would have been a confidence boost.
The 23-year-old scored West Ham’s second goal, slotting in from close-range, to open his Hammers account. With Michail Antonio injured and Andriy Yarmolenko struggling for fitness and form, there could be a space for Fornals on Saturday.
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere was dropped from the squad completely for last weekend’s trip to Newport. But he roared back with his first West Ham goal and a man of the match display against Newport.
On his day, the 27-year-old can ooze class with his playmaking ability in the middle of the park. Has he done enough to convince Pellegrini to recall him? It is probably between Wilshere, Fornals and Yarmolenko for the final spot in the line-up.
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