West Ham take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup with Graham Potter and Vitor Pereira both in need of a win.
Many believe the Carabao Cup gives Graham Potter and Vitor Pereira a break from the pressures of the Premier League after West Ham and Wolves made dismal starts to the new campaign.
But so bad have their starts been, alarm bells are already ringing about relegation for West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Especially against the backdrop of terrible transfer windows with the Hammers and Wolves struggling to get signings in the door while a host of players have left the London Stadium and Molineux.
West Ham were beaten 3-0 at newly-promoted Sunderland before the 5-1 hammering at home to Chelsea last time out.
Meanwhile Wolves have lost 4-0 to Man City and 1-0 to Bournemouth as they sit 19th in the fledgling table, one above West Ham.
Desperate Potter can’t afford sweeping West Ham changes
It is still early days of course, but many leading pundits and journalists believe the Irons and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be two of the teams to drop down to the Championship.
Pressure is mounting, particularly on Potter, who has struggled badly since arriving at West Ham, winning just five of his 21 games in charge.
Usually the Carabao Cup gives West Ham and Wolves the chance to rotate their teams and for the respective managers to take a look at other players.
But both clubs are in such desperate need of a result and some positivity that wholesale changes may be too big a risk.
Not that West Ham or Wolves have lots of options in reserve.
The Hammers especially have a lack of strength in depth in far too many key positions, including at the back, in midfield and up front.
Max Kilman has come in for a lot of criticism since his move to West Ham.
At times he looks every inch a £40m defender but all too often that price tag looks far too lofty.
There are problems all over the pitch for the Hammers in truth.
And some that can only be solved by bringing in new signings.
That hasn’t happened in time for the clash with Wolves at Molineux.
Predicted West Ham team for Wolves as Potter makes just five changes
So Potter will have to make do with what he has.
We predict Potter makes just five changes for Wolves despite West Ham’s shambolic start to the season.
Had the Hammers started well or been in Europe, Potter would have much more freedom to experiment with the team against Wolves.
But he needs a victory, so he may well go strong at Molineux.
Change number one looks likely to be in goal.
Hermansen out and Areola in for Hammers
As far as most West Ham fans are concerned, this Wolves game should have been Mads Hermansen’s first start for the Hammers after his £15m move from Leicester.
Instead Potter threw him straight in at Sunderland where he had a nightmare in a 3-0 loss.
Hermansen did not fare much better against Chelsea as he was once again at fault for goals with his small stature, in comparison to other Premier League goalkeepers, being questioned.
Potter would have been better off waiting and giving Hermansen his bow against Wolves. But that is water under the bridge now.
Alphonse Areola should come back into the side with plenty to prove.
Change number two will see either Aaron Wan-Bissaka or El Hadji Malick Diouf make way for Kyle Walker-Peters slotting in.
If Wan-Bissaka is rested, Walker-Peters will play on his preferred right-hand side. If it is Diouf rested then either Walker-Peters or Wan-Bissaka will switch to the left.
Potts and Wilson to get first starts
There is a chance both are rested with Walker-Peters and Ollie Scarles coming in to the team.
Diouf could even play as the left-sided centre-back if needed.
Potter may change to a back four but Wolves will line up with a five so he is expected to stick with his preferred formation – despite its lack of success under Potter.
Jean-Clair Todibo, hooked at half-time against Chelsea, looks set to be change number three, dropping out of the team for Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Change number four will see Freddie Potts come into the side in place of linked-away Lucas Paqueta and alongside Tomas Soucek.
And change five will see striker Niclas Fullkrug or captain Jarrod Bowen rested for Callum Wilson.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Wolves in the Carabao Cup:
Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Aguerd, Diouf/Wan-Bissaka/Scarles, Potts, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen/Fullkrug and Wilson.
When is the Carabao Cup third round draw?
The third round draw will take place on Wednesday 27th August following the conclusion of Grimsby Town’s second round tie against Manchester United.
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