- West Ham face Leeds United on Sunday
- The Hammers are in the Premier League relegation zone
- Valentín Castellanos comes in from the start
West Ham United’s Premier League survival hopes will come down to one final afternoon at the London Stadium as Nuno Espírito Santo prepares his side for a must-win clash against Leeds United. Following a brutal defeat to Newcastle last weekend, the Hammers’ manager is likely to make significant changes in order to avoid relegation.
Nuno came under fire for his tactical approach at St James’ Park, with his decision to adopt a more conservative setup in a game West Ham couldn’t afford to lose proving detrimental. The early substitution of Jean-Clair Todibo emphasised the manager’s miscalculation, and one can expect that he will have learned from it ahead of what he agreed is the “biggest” of his career.
With Leeds arriving in East London knowing that a loss would condemn the Irons to the Championship, Nuno is predicted to forsake the defensive approach utilised against Newcastle in favour of a more aggressive lineup. West Ham must not only beat Leeds, but also rely on other outcomes to ensure survival, with relegation rival Tottenham Hotspur, two points ahead, facing Everton at the same time.
Here’s who we think will start on Sunday afternoon.
Mads Hermansen (GK)
The Dane is expected to hold his place as West Ham’s first-choice keeper, with his shot-stopping abilities important in halting the in-form Leed striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
El Hadji Malick Diouf (LB)
This is the first indication that Nuno may shift his formation away from the unproductive back-five. Whilst the system served West Ham vs Arsenal, it was woefully exposed in its pragmatism at St James Park. El Hadji Malick Diouf has been commendable in both outings, and always operates as a high-flying option down the left wing.
Axel Disasi (CB)
Axel Disasi has been in indifferent form with the change to a back-five, with the Frenchman having to balance out his central duties with covering out wide. Nonetheless, his experience will be vital in navigating whatever dangers arise on the day.
Konstantinos Mavropanos (CB)
For the same reasons as Disasi, the Greek defender is a no-brainer for Sunday’s stakes. Also, his set-piece threat may be needed to unlock the game.
Kyle Walker-Peters (RB)
While Aaron Wan-Bissaka hasn’t done much to be tossed out of the team in the club’s biggest game of the season, it is clear that if West Ham are to take the game to their Yorkshire visitors, Kyle Walker-Peters is a more ideal choice to do so.
Mateus Fernandes (CM)
In what might be his final game for West Ham, the midfield metronome should be the difference-maker in a tight game.
Tomas Soucek (CM)
In what might be his final game in claret and blue, Soucek’s desire has never been questioned, and it will be needed to set the tone.
Crysencio Summerville (LW)
It’s been said before, but if Crysencio Summerville performs to his full ability on Sunday, he could deliver a game-breaking performance. Every week, the explosive winger delivers a threat from the left, providing West Ham with an opportunity.
Jarrod Bowen (RW)
The captain may no longer be playing for his England place. He might be playing for his next club, but for many, he’s playing for his legacy. No one will want the lasting images of Jarrod Bowen’s time at the club to be the wilting scenes of his production powers waning with the club’s survival on the line.
Valentín Castellanos (ST)
The Argentine should be a nailed-on name after his performance at St James’ Park last week. Valentín Castellanos scored the ingenious consolation goal in the game that took some of the blemish off, but his impact deserved much more.
Callum Wilson (ST)
It’s quite simply a toss-up between Callum Wilson and Pablo. Based on what has been seen in the last few weeks, it has to be the Englishman, who at least has shown a scoring touch unlike his luckless Brazilian teammate.
(4-2-2-2): Hermansen (GK); Diouf, Disasi, Mavropanos, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Soucek; Summerville, Bowen, Castellanos, Wilson.
