West Ham’s Best XI (3-4-3) To Face Swansea: A False 9 or Andy Carroll?

West Ham’s Best XI (3-4-3) To Face Swansea

The 2016-17 season of the Premier League has not been kind to one Slaven Bilic a the Olympic stadium as his side have failed to put on any kind of impressive performances in their first season at the new stadium. However, they took all three points from their previous game against struggling Hull City to move closer to the top half of the table but the manager will know that every point from every game is now very important. After that victory at home, the Hammers will now travel to the Liberty stadium this weekend to face yet another relegation-threatened side in Swansea in hope to take all three points. Swansea are fresh from a demoralizing loss to Boro and will hope to change things around. Bilic is expected to field his strongest side and here is the predicted lineup he might play for this game:

Team News:

In early team news, West Ham are without the likes of Gokhan Tore, Simone Zaza, Diafra Sakho and  Reece Oxford for this game through injury while Pedro Obiang is out suspended. James Collins will undergo a late fitness test ahead of this game.

Formation: 3-4-3

Darren Randolph:

The first choice shot stopper for Slaven Bilic in the League this season, Randolph, should keep his place in the side for this game against Swansea.

Chiekhou Kouyate:

The Senegalese international has been nervy at times at the back for the Hammers but he should keep his place in the side for this game.

Winston Ried:

The injury to Collins will see Reid take up a place in the middle of the back three for West Ham for this game against Swansea.

Angelo Ogbonna:

The last of the back three for West Ham that won the last game, Ogbonna, has been the most consistent at the back for the side and should start this game against Swansea.

Michail Antonio:

The versatile wing-back has been an impact player for West Ham this season and he should start at right wing-back for West Ham this weekend.

Edimilson Fernandes:

After putting in a decent performance in the last game, replacing Obiang early in the half, the 20-year old is expected to start this game with Obiang picking up a suspension.

Mark Noble:

The English midfielder has not been at his best this season but he has the ability to control the midfield for his side in games like this and should do so against the Swans.

Aaron Cresswell:

The full back turned wing back, Cresswell, has been in decent form off late for the Hammers and he should start this game at the Liberty Stadium at the weekend.

Manuel Lanzini:

The 23-year old Argentine is an important player for Bilic at the club and he will hope that Lanzini can put in a match winning performance in this game against Swansea.

Dimitri Payet:

The French international has been the best player for the Hammers this season and he should start this game in attack for West Ham.

Andre Ayew:

Though Carroll has been decent recently, Ayew, adds a bit of an overall attacking threat in the final third and should start for West Ham in a false 9 role. We can expect him dropping deep to keep the moves running while players like Payet will have more freedom to move to advanced positions in this setup.