Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United put in an inspired performance in front of their home crowd last weekend as they put three past a helpless Crystal Palace side to take all three points. The absence of star player Dimitri Payet from the game makes it all the more satisfying but the manager will know that his side have to keep winning to entertain a shot at European football next season. West Ham
West Ham are currently in the 12th place in the points table, 8 points off a place in Europe but they have a great chance to reduce the deficit when they play Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough this weekend away from home. Boro are fresh from a draw against Watford and they will hope to take a result from this game.
Here is the predicted lineup that Bilic might field for this game:
Team News:
Midfielder Dimitri Payet might not feature for the Hammers again and is out of this game. Alvaro Arbeloa, Andre Ayew, Chiekhou Kouyate, Arthur Masuaku, Diafra Sakho and Gokhan Tore are also absent for this game against Boro.
Expected lineup (3-4-2-1):
Darren Randolph:
The first choice shot-stopper for West Ham this season, Randolph had a decent outing against Palace and will hope to have a similar game.
James Collins:
Having put in some decent performances recently, Collins is integral to the plans of the manager at the club and is an automatic starter this season.
Winston Reid:
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The senior pro at the back for the Hammers, Reid is slowly finding some form for his side and is expected to start this game at the weekend.
Angelo Ogbonna:
The Italian defender has been sublime at the back for West Ham as a part of the three-man defense which will stay intact for this clash.
Michail Antonio:
The versatile winger is close to signing a new deal at the club and he will hope to put in a good performance to justify the contract offered.
Mark Noble:
The English midfielder is a shadow of his self from the previous season but is still the first choice for Bilic this season.
Pedro Obiang:
The midfielder has been the lynchpin for the side this season and he will have to have a decent game for the Hammers to take all three points from this clash.
Aaron Cresswell:
The first choice wing back on the left, Cresswell should keep his place in the side for this game against Middlesbrough.
Manuel Lanzini:
The creative force for West Ham in the final third, Lanzini has to step up in the absence of Payet and should have a decent outing against Boro this weekend.
Sofiane Feghouli:
Slowly cementing a place in the side, Feghouli has been decent in the recent outings and is expected to start this game for West Ham.
Andy Carroll:
Having scored the goal of the season so far in the previous round, Carroll, who will be high on confidence, is expected to take the Hammers over the line for the second week running.