There will be two gutted regulars but this is how David Moyes must line up his West Ham side against Man City.
West Ham face arguably the biggest test possible when champions and treble winners Manchester City roll into town this Saturday.
Widely regarded as the best team on the planet – something they will get a chance to prove at the Club World Cup in December – Man City sit above the Hammers by two points in the fledgling Premier League table.
West Ham have already proved themselves to be one of the form teams so far this season. Both the Hammers and Man City have made unbeaten starts.
Moyes and Pep Guardiola have been nominated for the manager of the month award as a result.
Depending on other results, West Ham can actually go back to the top of the fledgling table with a win over Manchester City in Saturday’s 3pm kick-off.
Guardiola will be back in the dugout after a back operation saw him miss Man City’s last two games.
But how will Moyes play this one tactically? It goes without saying West Ham will be conceding the lion’s share of possession, whether they like it or not.
But will Moyes look to play counter attack, ultra defensive in the hope of a draw, make changes given his new arrivals or stick with the side which won last time out?
There will be two gutted regulars but this is how Moyes must line up his West Ham side against Man City.
Tomas Soucek missed the Luton game due to concussion protocols. He is usually one of the first names on Moyes’ teamsheet. And a club source claimed last week that the big Czech has already signed a secret new four-year deal.
Although he is absolutely vital defensively – perhaps more than many appreciate – Soucek must sit this one out. The the temptation is there to put him alongside Edson Alvarez as a road block in central midfield to stop Man City’s array of attacking talent. But Moyes, in the interests of sticking as much as possible to a winning team, must resist for this game.
Only one change would be needed from the side which started against Luton. And it would see Said Benrahma the second regular to be left disappointed.
New £38m man Mohammed Kudus should come into the side to give West Ham more pace, power, X factor and – most importantly – end product.
The Hammers won’t have the ball too often and will need to make the most of their counter attacks. So Kudus is simply a must for his full debut.
Lucas Paqueta has already proved he can do both sides of the game, having won possession more than any other player in Europe’s top SEVEN leagues this season. So he brings that steel and hard work to the midfield anyway.
With the season starting to get seriously busy from this weekend on, every player in the West Ham squad will be needed and each has a big part to play. Just look at Pablo Fornals last season and his impact in the final few months.
Injury permitting, we think most will agree this should be how West Ham line up to take on Manchester City. It is a nicely balanced side which has a bit of everything.
How West Ham should line up against Man City:
Areola, Emerson, Aguerd, Zouma, Coufal, Alvarez, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio.