Following the staggering comeback against Huddersfield last time out, West Ham will look to secure another three points in their challenge for Europe this season, which is still attainable for the Hammers, albeit somewhat unlikely.
The Hammers see a visit from fellow chasers, Everton, where two points separate the sides in the league.
Form doesn’t split the two sides either, with West Ham taking nine points in their last five, compared to Everton’s seven. With that in mind, if home and away form is to be taken into consideration, this would make the Hammers favourites, with the London Stadium providing a more favourable setting for West Ham this season, and Everton looking shaky on the road.
Manuel Pellegrini will have concerns over the squad, with the comeback over Huddersfield just covering the cracks of what in truth, was an abysmal performance to the worst side in the league. Conceding three goals at home to a team that had only previously scored more than one goal on just one occasion all season showed glaring issues in the Hammers’ defence.
Meanwhile, striker Marko Arnautovic’s performances have been sub-par, and Javier Hernandez made another case for himself to get the nod after coming off the bench to score twice in seven minutes. Yet questions can be raised over his effectiveness off the bench versus as a starter, giving Pellegrini a tricky task of selecting the best starting XI to face Everton.
Here is the starting XI I believe Pellegrini will select against Everton on Saturday:
GK - Lukasz Fabianski
It’s hard for a keeper to be fantastic even when conceding three goals, but not for Fabianski. If it weren’t for some fantastic saves, and some crucial one-on-one stops, the game would’ve been out of sight for the Hammers.
RB - Pablo Zabaleta
With Ryan Fredericks out injured, the experience of Zabaleta will have to be called upon.
CB - Issa Diop
Both Diop and Ogbonna had poor defensive performances last outing, with both players being at fault for goals. Pellegrini will look to sure up the leaks in the defence against a much more prolific force in Everton.
CB - Fabian Balbuena
The performance against Huddersfield highlighted the need for Balbuena to return to the side, as his calmness compliments Diop’s youth.
LB - Aaron Cresswell
Cresswell looks like the player of old, with his recent form showing the Hammers faithful why he was previously voted Hammer of the Year.
CM - Declan Rice
After a fantastic showing for England, he will slot into Pellegrini’s side where he has been superb of late.
CM - Mark Noble
The captain maintains his place in the side, where he has formed a fantastic partnership with Rice.
CAM- Samir Nasri
Controversially, Nasri gets the nod over Lanzini. There’s no argument over the latter’s ability, but Nasri was the game-changer against Huddersfield and deserves to start against Everton.
RW - Michail Antonio
Always a tricky position to predict this, but Antonio’s pace and power should see him get the nod over players like Robert Snodgrass. Subbed against Huddersfield, this is a great opportunity to get back into Pellegrini’s good books.
LW - Felipe Anderson
Anderson finally registered an assist against Huddersfield, and after playing for the Brazilian national side during the international break, here’s hoping that he is back on form.
ST - Marko Arnautovic
Another controversial pick, with Hernandez in fantastic goalscoring form for both club and country. Hernandez still seems better utilised coming off the bench for Pellegrini, and after seeing Arnautovic score a brace for Austria over the break, it should see him get the nod for Saturday.