Predicted 3-4-2-1 West Ham Line-up Amidst Defensive Crisis To Face Tottenham

After an impressive 2015-16 season, Slaven Bilic’s West Ham were expected to compete with the best in the league this season, building on their performances from a few months ago. However, injuries to key players have seen them slip to the 17^th place, just a point of the drop zone 11 games into the season. They took just a point from the home game against the Potters in the previous round and will face a rigid Tottenham Hotspur at the White Hart Lane, a side that is yet to be beaten this season. Spurs have shown a few weaknesses recently and Bilic will hope to exploit them and start climbing the points table going into the festive season.

Here is the predicted lineup that he might field for this game against Spurs at the weekend.

Team News:

Star striker Diafro Sakho, who is yet to make an appearance this season after picking up an injury in the pre-season, is expected to be back in action this weekend alongside Winston Reid who is expected start after nursing a hamstring injury. James Collins is also expected to be back in action while Mark Noble will miss this game through suspension. Andy Carroll, however, remains sidelined but is expected to back next week.

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Adrian:

The first choice shot-stopper for West Ham, Adrain has been impressive for his side this season and should keep his place in the side for this game.

Cheikhou Kouyate:

After an impressive game against Stoke at the back, Kouyate will be high on confidence and will have a big role to play for the Hammers against the Spurs.

Winston Reid:

Coming back from injury after missing the Stoke game, Reid will be desperate to prove himself but will have the tough task of keeping the likes of Harry Kane away from goal.

Angelo Ogbonna:

The Italian has been decent at times for the Hammers this season but he must be at his best if his side are to take anything from this trip to the Lane.

Michail Antonio:

After impressive displays as a fase-9, Antonio will back in his wing-back role, like against Stoke, and will hope to have a similar effect in the final third.

Havard Nordtveit:

Injury to Mark Noble will give Norway international Nordtveit a chance to prove himself in the Premier League against one of the toughest sides in the competition.

Pedro Obiang:

The midfield enforcer for West Ham, Obiang will have is work cut out this weekend in the absence of his midfield partner. He will play an important role for the Hammers if they want even a point from this game.

Aaron Cresswell:

The English defender has been a consistent player at the wing-back position for West Ham recently and he should keep his place in the side for this game.

Dimitri Payet:

The French stalwart is still the most important player for the Hammers and he will have to shoulder all the creative responsibilities of the side against a sound Tottenham defense this weekend.

Manuel Lanzini:

Though a bit low on confidence at the moment, Lanzini is one of the most exciting playmakers in the League and the manager will hope that he can help them take at least a point from this game.

Andre Ayew:

After a less than impressive performance against Stoke City in the last round coming back from injury, Ayew will be under pressure, but will lead the attacking line for the Hammers for this game.