We predict David Moyes will make four West Ham changes with a surprise starter for the big one against Fiorentina.
After what has felt like an eternity, the day has arrived as West Ham face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Prague.
It is hands down one of the most nerve-wracking predicted teams I’ve had to write given what is riding on the big game. So goodness only knows how David Moyes and his staff feel.
Debate has raged over what Moyes should do in certain positions and how West Ham should line up.
But if we’re honest with ourselves, the Hammers side more or less picks itself bar one or two roles.
So much is at stake and history is waiting to be made for this group of Hammers stars.
The last – and only – time West Ham tasted European glory was in the European Cup Winners Cup 58 years ago in 1965.
Predicted: David Moyes makes four West Ham changes with a surprise starter for the big one against Fiorentina
It would be a first major trophy of any kind for West Ham in 43 years and would also seal qualification for next season’s Europa League.
La Viola will comfortably be the best side West Ham have faced in the competition. So it is fitting they go head-to-head in the final.
Will Moyes go with a five or four at the back? Will he play number one goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for the main event? Will he play Thilo Kehrer or Vladimir Coufal at right-back? Should experienced Angelo Ogbonna replace the occasionally nervy Nayef Aguerd?
Well here’s how we see the Scot lining up for the biggest West Ham match in years.
The most important team selection of Moyes’ career?
We predict Moyes makes four West Ham changes with a surprise starter for the big one against Fiorentina.
Alphonse Areola will get the nod in goal to replace Fabianski, who started the defeat to Leicester last time out.
Coufal gets the nod at right-back and Kehrer is unlucky to lose his place with Kurt Zouma replacing him in change number two.
Change three is more obvious with Tomas Soucek replacing Flynn Downes in midfield.
But it is the fourth change which may raise some eyebrows.
West Ham are massive – and so is this game
Just over a week ago Moyes strongly hinted that Pablo Fornals may have played his way into the West Ham starting XI for the final.
The Spaniard scored the magical goal which sealed West Ham’s place in the final. And Fornals started – and scored again – against Leicester.
The only player whose position he would take is Said Benrahma.
We believe Benrahma will be dropped with Jarrod Bowen coming back in on the right and Fornals taking the Algerian’s place on the left.
The thinking – besides Fornals’ late spurt in goalscoring form – is that West Ham may need to be very defensively disciplined for long spells against a quality outfit, whose star player Nico Gonzalez operates down that side.
It is harsh on Benrahma, who has been one of West Ham’s better players for most of the season.
Is this the Hammers team to bring the trophy home?
But Moyes will also be thinking he could be the ideal player to bring on if the Hammers need to change things up or give Fiorentina something different to worry about.
Let’s hope this is the team to bring the trophy home.
It is quite simply Moyes’ most important team selection of the season and perhaps of his career.
Come. On. You. Irons.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final:
Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Paqueta, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio.
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