We predict David Moyes makes one West Ham change for Luton after a big decision on a debut for Mohammed Kudus.
West Ham will be part of yet more history tonight when they become the first team to visit Luton Town’s Kenilworth Road in the Premier League.
Luton’s start to life at home on their fairytale return to the top flight has been delayed while their famous little ground has been hastily redeveloped to meet Premier League requirements.
And Luton welcome West Ham there for the big day.
Another piece of history for West Ham at Luton
In many ways the fixture is so fitting. The Hatters have taken several players from West Ham down the years as they steadily built towards this momentous occasion in their now 11,300 capacity ground. Dan Potts, Reece Burke and Pelly Ruddock to name but three.
West Ham can go back to the top of the fledgling Premier League table with victory over Luton.
And there is huge excitement among West Ham fans hopeful of seeing £38m new boy Mohammed Kudus make his Hammers debut.
West Ham have one enforced absence for the game so it goes without saying there will be at least one change from the team which started the 3-1 win at Brighton last time out.
Predicted: David Moyes makes one West Ham change for Luton after big decision on Mohammed Kudus debut
But will Kudus come into the side? And will Nayef Aguerd be restored to the starting line-up after suspension?
We predict David Moyes makes one solitary West Ham change for Luton after a big decision on the Kudus debut.
With Tomas Soucek sidelined for 10 days due to automatic Premier League concussion protocols following his collision at the Amex, Moyes has to decide whether to bring in Kudus, Pablo Fornals, or Said Benrahma.
And we think Moyes will continue with his process of drip-feeding new arrivals – especially those from abroad.
Benrahma in for Soucek, reshuffle in central midfield, Kudus made to wait and Ogbonna to retain place?
So Benrahma will come into the side on the left with Lucas Paqueta partnering James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez in the middle.
Kudus, who scored a hat-trick in his last match – a Europa League qualifier for Ajax last week – will have to make do with a place on the bench for this one. But expect to see the Ghana star in the second half.
We believe Moyes may keep Angelo Ogbonna in the side after his brilliant performance at Brighton. Because a night game at Kenilworth Road – and Luton’s first home game on their return to the top flight no less – requires some much-needed experience.
Aguerd was shaky against Chelsea at times and got himself sent off.
So he may have to wait to get his place in the side back as speculation swirls over a potential move to Saudi Arabia in the next week.
The team has a lovely mix to it and here’s hoping West Ham can make it three wins in a row.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Luton:
Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Ogbonna, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Alvarez, Paqueta, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.