West Ham United return to Championship action at Watford on Saturday with Nuno Espírito Santo facing several selection decisions after Tuesday’s 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Joshua Ajala scored twice on his first senior start, while Lewis Orford produced two assists during an excellent midfield performance at St Mary’s.
Nuno made eight changes for the cup tie, however, and several senior players should return at Vicarage Road as West Ham search for their first Championship victory of the season.
West Ham predicted XI against Watford
Goalkeeper: Mads Hermansen
Finlay Herrick impressed on his first senior start against Southampton, but Hermansen should return for the league fixture.
The Denmark international started both Championship games against Burnley and Charlton.
Defence: Kyle Walker-Peters, Dinos Mavropanos, Maximilian Kilman, Ollie Scarles
Nuno could restore the entire back four which started last weekend’s 2-1 defeat against Charlton.
West Ham’s official team announcement against the Addicks had Walker-Peters and Scarles operating at full-back either side of Mavropanos and Kilman.
Joël Veltman completed 90 minutes at Southampton and gives Nuno another experienced option, but Walker-Peters should return on the right.
Midfield: Lewis Orford, Arne Engels
This is where Tuesday night may have changed Nuno’s thinking.
Mohamadou Kanté started alongside Engels against Charlton, but Orford made a compelling argument for promotion into the league XI at Southampton.
The 20-year-old completed 57 of his 63 passes and created both of West Ham’s opening goals.
We have already examined why Orford has forced Nuno into a selection decision before Watford.
After such an influential performance, he deserves the opportunity alongside summer signing Engels.
Attack: Jarrod Bowen, Manor Solomon, Joël Piroe, Valentín Castellanos
Bowen and Castellanos were protected from the start at Southampton before both came off the bench and scored.
They should return to the XI on Saturday.
Solomon was another substitute at St Mary’s after starting West Ham’s opening two Championship matches, while Piroe should retain his place after scoring on his league debut against Charlton.
That would leave Ajala on the bench despite his outstanding cup performance.
It would be harsh on the teenager, but there is no need for Nuno to rush him immediately into a Championship start.
Ajala has already given the West Ham manager a genuine selection problem and could become a dangerous option later in the game.
West Ham face a Watford squad dealing with limited defensive depth, making Saturday an important opportunity to turn Tuesday’s cup momentum into a first league victory.
Supporters can find full TV and live coverage information for Watford v West Ham here.
ReadWestHam predicted XI
Hermansen; Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Orford, Engels; Bowen, Solomon; Piroe, Castellanos.
