West Ham United will look to get off the blocks in the new Premier League season, when they take on Southampton on Saturday at the St. Mary’s in match-week two.
Slaven Bilic’s side were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in their opening fixture of the new campaign and the Croatian will be hoping his team can put that defeat behind them and turn things around against the Saints and get a point or three.
There is a boost for the Hammers as winger Michail Antonio is fit ahead of the game. But Bilic might not look to risk him from the start. Manuel Lanzini (Knee injury) continues to miss out alongside midfield mainstay Cheikhou Kouyate (Knee injury) and striker Andy Carroll (Groin strain).
The loanee looked good in phases at the Old Trafford last weekend, but will be hoping to keep a clean sheet this time around, after letting in four against the 20-time champions.
The Argentine endured a difficult debut for the Hammers, coming up against Marcus Rashford and will need to buck up against Nathan Redmond, who is likely to pose a similar threat.
The New Zealander will be disappointed with how things went down hill in the season opener and will want to tighten things up at the back.
The former Juventus man looked good in parts against United, but will need to keep his focus for the entirety of the game.
A change could be expected at left-back, as Bilic would likely recall Cresswell to the starting line-up after Arthur Masuaku’s poor performance last weekend.
With Lanzini still unavailable, Bilic is expected to stick with the youngster in the middle of the park. Needs to do more going forward.
The captain was overran in the midfield last week, but with Kouyate unavailable, it is unlikely that Bilic will drop him.
The final spot in the middle of the park will be taken up by Pedro Obiang. The Spaniard too needs to step up after a poor opening week.
The Ghanaian attacker also needs to start pulling his weight if he is to stay in the manager’s plans, especially now that Antonio is fit again.
Did not have the best of debuts against his old club, but he is someone who relies on good service and if the Hammers manage to create chances for him, he will score. Needs to be persisted with.
The club-record signing showed flashes of what he can do, at Old Trafford. There is so much more to come from him and the gaffer needs to back him to make an impact against the Saints.
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