West Ham’s pre-season finrmany for a meeting with 1. FC Magdeburg on Saturday.
The friendly takes place at the Avnet Arena on 1 August, with kick-off scheduled for 1.30pm BST. It is West Ham’s final match before their Carabao Cup opener against Portsmouth on 8 August. g will use the occasion as their official season-opening event.
The German side then begin their 2. Bundesliga campaign against Eintracht Braunschweig one week later.
West Ham remain unbeaten during pre-season after drawing with Southend United and Rangers either side of a 5-0 win at Stevenage.
Their defensive organisation improved during the goalless draw at Ibrox. Mads Hermansen made several important saves, while Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos protected the penalty area well.
Hermansen believes the squad are moving in the right direction before their Championship campaign. However, ReadWestHam’s report on his promotion message also highlighted the need for greater creativity and attacking speed. uld now move closer to his preferred starting side.
The Magdeburg fixture provides his final opportunity to build partnerships before competitive football begins.
Magdeburg will provide a demanding opponent
Magdeburg should offer a greater attacking and tactical challenge than West Ham faced during their opening friendlies.
Petrik Sander and Pascal Ibold’s team recorded a 2-0 victory over Bundesliga newcomers Paderborn on 25 July. Emmanuel Iyoha opened the scoring before Paul Jaeckel added their second from a set-piece. g also played through Paderborn’s pressure during the second half and limited their opponents to few clear chances. Their ability to move possession quickly could expose any space left behind West Ham’s midfield.
Mateusz Żukowski offers a direct threat through the middle, while Barış Atik can create from wider and central positions. West Ham’s back line will need to remain compact whenever the hosts regain possession.
West Ham must create more around Taty Castellanos
West Ham struggled to provide Taty Castellanos with regular service against Rangers.
Jarrod Bowen remained their leading attacking outlet, but opponents can restrict West Ham by directing extra defensive attention towards the captain. Pablo and the left-sided attacker must offer a greater threat between the lines.
George Earthy deserves an opportunity after improving the tempo from the bench at Ibrox. He can move inside from the left and combine with Pablo, allowing Ollie Scarles to provide width.
ReadWestHam’s predicted lineup against Magdeburg included Earthy alongside Bowen, Pablo and Castellanos. Tomáš Souček remains unavailable after suffering ankle ligament damage during the World Cup. Ham predicted lineup against Magdeburg
Formation: 4-4-1-1
Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Bowen, Kanté, Ward-Prowse, Earthy; Pablo; Castellanos.
Nuno will make changes during the second half, but the starting team should resemble his planned lineup against Portsmouth. Lewis Orford and Josh Ajala could receive further minutes after impressing during earlier friendlies.
Magdeburg vs West Ham prediction
West Ham have become more secure without possession, but their attacking structure remains incomplete.
Magdeburg arrive after an impressive victory against top-flight opposition and will have strong home support behind them. Their league campaign also begins one week earlier than West Ham’s Championship season.
The Hammers should create more than they managed at Ibrox, particularly if Earthy starts. However, Magdeburg’s sharpness and ability to play through pressure could prevent Nuno’s side from ending pre-season with a victory.
Prediction: 1. FC Magdeburg 1-1 West Ham
