Hammers boss David Moyes makes two West Ham changes for Lyon after a big boost ahead of the Europa League clash.
The massive Europa League quarter-final first leg against Lyon at the London Stadium is now just a few hours away.
West Ham warmed up for the match with a 2-1 win over Everton. And across the Channel at the weekend, Lyon edged a five-goal thriller 3-2 at home against Angers which you can read all about here.
Hammers boss David Moyes has been speaking ahead of the game about the importance of West Ham’s fans and his players appreciating that the last eight match is very much over two legs.
The winners of the quarter-final will face either Eintracht Frankfurt or Barcelona in the semi-finals.
But Moyes has insisted Lyon will be no pushovers and neither he nor his players are thinking that far ahead.
Lyon are a historic club and another mouthwatering tie is in prospect.
Any West Ham fans who followed the group stages closely will know Lyon were the team who secured the most points with 16 from their six group stage matches -five wins and a draw.
They have also added the supremely talented Brazilian forward Tete to their squad using a FIFA and UEFA loophole.
And he made an instant impact on his Lyon debut by getting the winner at the weekend.
West Ham will unfortunately be without Manuel Lanzini for the game as he is suspended having picked up three Europa League bookings.
Declan Rice has said losing Lanzini for the game is a massive blow to West Ham.
But Moyes has been given a shot in the arm by the timely return of Jarrod Bowen.
There was also positive news about right-back Ben Johnson – who missed the Everton win with a tight hamstring – as Moyes suggested he will be fit to face Lyon.
That means Moyes will likely make two West Ham changes for Lyon after the big Ben boost.
The first will be in goal with Alphonse Areola coming in for Lukasz Fabianski as he has done for all but one Europa League match this season.
Areola single-handedly – quite literally – kept West Ham in the last 16 tie against Sevilla with an unbelievable reaction save.
It gave West Ham the platform to go on and seal that unforgettable victory.
The France international, who is on loan from Lyon’s rivals PSG, will be keen to impress against the team from his homeland.
The second change will see Johnson come back in for Ryan Fredericks. It may be a touch harsh on Fredericks who did well deputising against Everton considering his lack of game time.
But Fredericks may well be needed should Johnson feel his hamstring at any stage. And Moyes has said it is too soon for Vladimir Coufal to start a game following his hernia operation.
There is a train of thought that Moyes may change system and go with five at the back to contain Lyon’s strong attacking threat and manage the tie sensibly.
But Lyon can be got at defensively and we think Moyes will stick with the same system he played against Everton with the two aforementioned West Ham changes coming in.
Moyes does at least have the option of five substitutes if needed and a bigger matchday squad to pick from.
The official team line-ups should be announced around 6.30pm.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Lyon:
Areola, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals, Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.
MORE WEST HAM vs LYON NEWS
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Lyon boss denies major striker blow after travelling to face West Ham.
Declan Rice says he has one big worry for Lyon after Hammer blow.
Why Dimitri Payet will be West Ham’s biggest fan against Lyon.
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