Opinion: Lesser-seen West Ham ace should start in UEL clash

West Ham manager David Moyes has a selection headache ahead of the Europa League meeting with Sevilla. 

The Hammers are in Spain for their first-leg clash at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium and will be looking to get a positive result. 

However, Moyes is likely to be without talismanic forward Jarrod Bowen after the 25-year-old limped off with a heel problem against Liverpool. 

Midfield ace Declan Rice is expected to be fit for the clash having trained this week following the missed trip to Anfield due to illness. 

One option to replace Bowen, Ukraine international forward Andriy Yarmolenko has not travelled as the club continue to give the 32-year-old compassionate leave.

Here’s how we think West Ham will lineup…

READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Predicted XI: Alphonse Areola; Ben Johnson, Craig Dawson, Kurt Zouma, Aaron Cresswell; Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek; Nikola Vlasic, Lanzini, Fornals; Michail Antonio.

Predicted Subs: Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop, Ryan Fredericks, Said Benrahma, Alex Kral, Mark Noble, Arthur Masuaku, Daniel Chesters, Armstrong Okoflex.

Despite playing 34 times this season, Said Benrahma has been utilised from the bench more often than not in recent weeks. 

Moyes has instead turned to Nikola Vlasic and will likely do so once again as the £24.3million valued Croatian continues to adapt to life as a West Ham player.

With just three-goal contributions in 26 appearances so far in 2021/22, the ace will be desperate to repay some faith here. 

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