Hammers beef settled as David Moyes makes four West Ham changes but goes strong for the Saints FA Cup clash.
West Ham travel to St Mary’s for what promises to be an intriguing tie as the two sides bid for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Hammers are still fighting on three fronts and face a potentially historic few weeks for their hopes of success.
If West Ham can hit top form this month they could, come the March international break in three weeks, be in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, the quarter-finals of the Europa League and still right in the mix for the top four.
As a result Moyes must juggle his squad accordingly. The Scot has managed that masterfully so far this season.
That is a big risk against a side as strong as the Hammers. Especially as the Saints have lost just once in 12 games.
With a big Premier League game against title challengers Liverpool at Anfield looming after the Saints FA Cup clash, it will be interesting to see what Moyes does regarding his team selection.
And in our Hammers News predicted team for the big game, we believe a beef will be settled as Moyes makes four West Ham changes but goes strong for the Saints.
Predicted: Beef settled as David Moyes makes four West Ham changes but goes strong for Saints FA Cup clash
Alphonse Areola will come into the side in place of Lukasz Fabianski. Areola has impressed in most of the games he has played for the Hammers.
But his impact has been visible in the vastly improved performances of Fabianski who looks born again in the face of some healthy and serious competition.
Issa Diop is change number two, coming into the side for Craig Dawson, who gets a well earned and deserved rest.
He will partner Kurt Zouma in a back four.
The next change will see Moyes settle his beef with Said Benrahma by giving the Algerian a start in place of Manuel Lanzini.
Benrahma sparked a furious reaction from Moyes when he was slow to come off after being subbed in the recent 1-1 draw with Newcastle.
There was a heated exchange on the touchline between Moyes and Benrahma where the playmaker could be seen mouthing ‘Every time me”. Moyes subsequently dropped Benrahma who was an unused sub for the win over Wolves on Sunday.
The final change will see Nikola Vlasic come in for Michail Antonio.
Moyes will likely move Jarrod Bowen up front with Vlasic operating in his place on the right.
A strong West Ham team and one more than capable of putting Moyes’s side into the hat for the quarter-finals.
Predicted West Ham team to face Southampton in the FA Cup:
Areola, Johnson, Zouma, Diop, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Vlasic, Bowen.