---
title: "Areola starts; Castellanos rested – West Ham vs Brentford predicted XI"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/west-ham-vs-brentford-predicted-xi/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Matt Bottomley"
section: "Match Previews"
published: "2026-03-09T12:09:06Z"
modified: "2026-03-09T12:09:24Z"
---

# Areola starts; Castellanos rested – West Ham vs Brentford predicted XI

West Ham United host Brentford in the FA Cup, looking to keep the momentum from their win over Fulham going at the London Stadium.

[Nuno Espirito Santo’s team](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/west-ham-vs-brentford-fa-cup-nuno-pre-match-26/) have other thing’s on their mind than the cup, but winning games could be very important as they return to [Premier League action next week, continuing their survival fight](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/west-ham-survival-situation-gameweek-29/). [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/) will be after a good performance that allows the mood in the camp to stay positive.

Here’s who we think will start tonight’s game.

### Alphonse Areola (GK)

Dropped for the now in-form [Mads Hermansen](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/06/mads-hermansen-on-west-ham-group-mentality/), Alphonse Areola get’s a game in the after not playing since West Ham’s last FA Cup tie.

### Kyle Walker-Peters (RB)

Another who has not started a game since the win over Burton Albion. Kyle Walker-Peters come’s in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the second change.

### Axel Disasi (CB)

[Axel Disasi](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/opinion-axel-disasi-permanent-move/) has played in every game for the Hammers since joining on-loan from [Chelsea](https://readchelsea.com/). The 27-year-old has been West Ham’s in-form man and he remains in the starting line up.

### Konstantinos Mavropanos (CB)

The Greek defender returns after being dropped against [Fulham](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/04/fulham-0-1-west-ham-premier-league-26/) for [Jean-Clair Todibo](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/jean-clair-todibo-west-ham-fulham-win/). Like Todibo, Mavropanos has a good working relationship with Disasi, and they return to partner each other again.

### Ollie Scarles (LB)

Another who is an FA Cup regular, youngster Ollie Scarles returns in place of [El Hadji Malick Diouf](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/09/el-hadji-malick-diouf-on-axel-disasi-west-ham-form/)for this game.

### Mateus Fernandes (CDM)

[Mateus Fernandes](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/02/mateus-fernandes-on-liverpool-vs-west-ham-26/) did not feature for the club in the last round but continues in midfield for this game. Fernandes has been a key player for West Ham in 2026, and the team need to keep him in rhythm for as long as possible.

### Freddie Potts (CDM)

[Freddie Potts](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/08/west-ham-vs-brentford-team-news-fa-cup-26/) returns from suspension and is straight back in. The midfielder was sent off in the last round but comes back in to get himself up to speed once again.

### Adama Traore (LW)

Often used from the bench, [Adama Traore](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/03/fulham-vs-west-ham-team-news-26/) started the last round and get’s another chance in place of [Crysencio Summerville](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/crysencio-summerville-on-west-hams-win-over-fulham/). The big-bodied winger will be after a good performance to state his place in the team.

### Tomas Soucek (CAM)

The towering midfielder played a deeper role against Fulham but returns higher up the pitch for this match. [Tomas Soucek’s importance](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/02/tomas-soucek-on-liverpool-vs-west-ham-26/) to West Ham cannot be understated.

### Jarrod Bowen (RW)

The captain stays in looking for form. [Jarrod Bowen](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/05/jarrod-bowen-on-west-ham-vs-fulham/) continues to make an impact but a goal would do him the world of good.

### Callum Wilson (ST)

[Callum Wilson](https://readwestham.com/2026/03/08/callum-wilson-new-one-year-deal/) started against Fulham but failed to really get going. The 34-year-old get’s another chance here with [Valentin Castellanos](https://readwestham.com/2026/02/21/valentin-castellanos-on-west-ham-move/) dropping to the bench, just as he did against Burton Albion in the last round.

**Areola (GK); Walker-Peters; Disasi; Mavropanos; Scarles; Fernandes; Potts; Traore; Soucek; Bowen; Wilson**