West Ham complete their pre-season preparations against 1. FC Magdeburg on Saturday, with George Earthy in contention for a starting place. The West Ham predicted XI vs Magdeburg should be close to the side Nuno Espírito Santo intends to use when competitive football begins.
West Ham have confirmed that the friendly will take place at the Avnet Arena at 1.30pm BST. It is their final match before facing Portsmouth in the first round of the Carabao Cup on 8 August.
The Hammers remain unbeaten during pre-season. They drew with Southend United and Rangers either side of a 5-0 victory over Stevenage, although their performance at Ibrox exposed several unresolved attacking problems.
West Ham predicted XI vs Magdeburg
Mads Hermansen is expected to continue in goal after producing several important saves against Rangers. Kyle Walker-Peters and Ollie Scarles should retain the full-back positions, with Konstantinos Mavropanos partnering Max Kilman in central defence.
That back four offers Nuno some continuity before the competitive schedule begins. Mavropanos and Kilman dealt well with sustained Rangers pressure, while Hermansen provided reassurance behind them.
Midfield remains less settled. Mohamadou Kanté has started regularly during pre-season and should receive another opportunity alongside James Ward-Prowse.
Tomáš Souček remains unavailable after suffering ligament damage to his ankle while representing Czechia at the World Cup. West Ham confirmed that the midfielder required further assessment, leaving Ward-Prowse with another chance to establish himself under Nuno.
Jarrod Bowen should start from the right, with Pablo operating behind Taty Castellanos. Both players require greater support than they received during the goalless draw in Glasgow.
Why George Earthy deserves an opportunity
The main selection decision comes on the left. Keiber Lamadrid struggled to influence the Rangers match and was unable to carry West Ham forward when space became available.
ReadWestHam’s analysis of the Rangers draw identified a lack of pace and midfield control as two of the clearest weaknesses. Earthy, Lewis Orford and Josh Ajala improved the tempo after coming off the bench.
Earthy is naturally more comfortable in central areas, but he has played from the left before. Starting there would allow him to move inside and combine with Pablo, while Scarles could provide the width from full-back.
The 21-year-old also gained senior experience during his loan spell with Bristol City. He has not yet established a permanent role in West Ham’s first team, but the current imbalance gives him an opportunity.
Nuno needs more movement around Castellanos. Bowen remains the team’s most reliable attacking outlet, which allows opponents to focus heavily on limiting his influence.
ReadWestHam has already outlined the four areas that still require reinforcement, including central midfield and the left wing. Earthy cannot remove the need for further signings, but his energy could improve the structure against Magdeburg.
West Ham predicted lineup
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Kanté, Ward-Prowse, Earthy; Pablo; Castellanos.
Nuno is still likely to make several changes during the second half. However, the starting lineup should offer the clearest indication yet of his plans for Portsmouth and the opening Championship match against Burnley.
