Opinion

The XI that West Ham United need to pick vs Fulham after Nuno’s positive team news update

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Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that West Ham United do not have any fresh injury concerns heading into their Premier League clash with Fulham on Wednesday evening.

After a weekend in which none of the relegation candidates (assuming Wolves and Burnley are already down) won, Fulham versus West Ham United is a huge game in the Premier League.

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A graphic asking West Ham United fans how confident they are of Premie League survivial on a scale of 1-10.
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While beating the Cottagers away from home will not be easy, Nuno’s side have a more favourable fixture than Nottingham Forest – who travel to Manchester City.

Three points in west London would see West Ham close the gap on Tottenham to just one point too. With that in mind, Hammers News looks at the XI Nuno should pick at Craven Cottage. 

West Ham have no new injuries against Fulham, so should play 4-4-2

Nuno proved typically evasive during his pre-match press conference but hinted that there are no fresh injury worries right now.

He said: “It’s always the same team news-wise, but hopefully everyone else [aside from Freddie Potts and Pablo] is going to be available.”

That means only Pablo Felipe (calf injury), Lukasz Fabianski (back problem) and Freddie Potts (suspension) are likely to miss the game.  

This lineup is getting three points at the Cottage 🔥

Thoughts? Opinions?

I like Taty, but I’m not sure he can play up front on his own

A graphic showing the lineup that Hammers News think Nuno Espirito Santo should pick for West Ham United vs Fulham on 02/03/2026.
Credit: GRV Media

Assuming everyone else is fit, it’s time for Nuno to get back to the 4-4-2 system that brought West Ham success against the likes of Spurs, Sunderland, Chelsea (briefly) and Burnley. 

Pablo has been a huge miss for West Ham and they’ve not looked any more solid by replacing him with an extra central midfielder in the form of Soungoutou Magassa.

As such, it seems wise to drop Taty Castellanos into the role in which Pablo was operating, with Callum Wilson partnering him up front. 

It’s what Nuno deployed against Burnley to decent success, although admittedly the Clarets are not as good as the Cottagers.

West Ham need to go on the front foot here. Their Premier League safety could depend on it.

Playing three in midfield has not really worked, it’s time to make a change.