West Ham Predicted Lineup Vs Liverpool on December 29

Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United face top-of-the-league Liverpool at the London Stadium. Kick-off is at 17:15. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham Predicted Lineup.

West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool

How West Ham Have Lined up Recently

As first-choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was sidelined with injury, Polish international Lukasz Fabianski has started the last eight matches for Lopetegui’s side. That being said, Fabianski was stretchered off in their last match where his side beat bottom-of-the-league Southampton 1-0 away.

Lopetegui has altered the defence a few times this season but has landed with a back four consisting of Emerson, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. This has been his most successful back line; when Lopetegui’s side plays a three at the back, they often get heavily exposed. Todibo has been benched for the past two games making room for Konstantinos Mavropanos but should be back in the starting XI due to a minor injury for Kilman.

The midfield has also been consistent, with Lopetegui preferring two defensive midfielders. This has usually been between Tomas Soucek with Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez rotating between themselves. That being said, due to suspension, both Soucek and Rodriguez will miss this match.

Carlos Soler will be available after serving his one-match suspension. He replaced Crysencio Summerville who was benched for this match despite positive recent performances. Lucas Paqueta on the other hand will not be available, having to serve his one-match suspension. In their matches against Wolves and Bournemouth, Jarrod Bowen started up-front, replacing the injured Michail Antonio. This was altered against Brighton, where Niklas Fullkrug started up front.

West Ham Recent Form

West Ham sits 13th in the Premier League, level on points with 12th-place Tottenham. That being said, Lopetegui’s side are unbeaten in their last four matches, winning two of their last four, with their last defeat coming away to a struggling Leicester City side.

In their last match, the Hammers beat bottom-of-the-league Southampton who were under the management of Ivan Juric for the first time. Despite the game being relatively slow, it was the away side who found the breakthrough in the second half through Bowen. This puts them 13th in the table, jumping Manchester United who sit 14th after their 2-0 defeat to Wolves.

West Ham Injuries to Consider

Lopetegui has confirmed many absences for West Ham’s next match. Both Soucek and Rodriguez will miss this match due to suspension. Another player who will definitely not be available is Fabianski, who picked up a very worrying injury against Southampton. Lopetegui commented on the injury, stating “I talk with him. The doctors say that he feels better and well. I am positive with him”.

Kilman is a doubt for the match, picking up a shoulder injury against Southampton, but he still may be fit enough to play. The same can be said about Soler who picked up an injury and was substituted at halftime at St Mary’s citing complications with his knee. Antonio is out for the foreseeable future.

West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool

GK – Areola

LB – Coufal

CB – Tobido

CB – Mavropanos

RB – Wan-Bissaka

CM – Summerville

CM – Alvarez

LW – Kudus

CM – Paqueta

RW – Bowen

ST – Fullkrug