Nuno Espirito Santo faces a major rotation decision when West Ham United host Fulham in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday night.
The Hammers arrive with momentum after Friday’s 6-0 demolition of Wrexham, but the cup tie comes only four days before a Championship trip to Millwall.
West Ham’s full fixture schedule highlights the congested run facing Nuno, while the club have confirmed Fulham will visit London Stadium at 7.45pm on Tuesday 15 September. Official West Ham ticket information also confirms the date and kick-off time.
That should create opportunities for several players outside Nuno’s strongest Championship XI.
Nuno likely to rotate West Ham against Fulham
There is already a clear precedent.
Nuno made eight changes for West Ham’s previous Carabao Cup tie at Southampton, handing starts to Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, Lewis Orford and Joshua Ajala.
Read West Ham covered the eight changes Nuno made against Southampton, when Jarrod Bowen was among those rested from the starting XI.
A similarly dramatic reshuffle would make sense this time.
Bowen has carried a significant workload and started Friday’s Wrexham victory, scoring the opening goal before being replaced late on. Sky Sports’ confirmed West Ham XI also shows Joel Veltman was withdrawn after only 30 minutes.
Kyle Walker-Peters could therefore return at right-back.
Herrick could get another Carabao Cup chance
Herrick is our pick to replace Mads Hermansen in goal.
The young goalkeeper was trusted from the start against Southampton in the second round, suggesting Nuno could again use the competition to give him senior minutes.
We expect Max Kilman to remain in the side to provide experience alongside Golambeckis, with Ollie Scarles returning on the left.
Lewis Orford also deserves another opportunity in midfield.
Mohamadou Kanté made an impact from the bench against Wrexham, scoring West Ham’s fifth goal, and could be rewarded with a start.
Edvin Austbø is another strong candidate after being left among the substitutes on Friday.
Fulham performance may limit Nuno’s changes
Nuno cannot treat this as a free hit.
Fulham produced an impressive defensive display to hold Liverpool 0-0 at Anfield on Saturday, earning their first Premier League point of the season.
That is why we expect Nuno to retain some senior attacking quality.
Manor Solomon could start again against Premier League opposition, while Joel Piroe may lead the line instead of Taty Castellanos.
Divine Mukasa also deserves to keep his place after becoming increasingly important to Nuno’s midfield.
Supporters unable to attend can find all the broadcast information in our West Ham vs Fulham TV channel and live-stream guide.
The wider squad options are available through our permanent West Ham first-team squad page.
Predicted West Ham XI vs Fulham
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Finlay Herrick
RB: Kyle Walker-Peters
CB: Airidas Golambeckis
CB: Max Kilman
LB: Ollie Scarles
CM: Lewis Orford
CM: Mohamadou Kanté
RW: Edvin Austbø
AM: Divine Mukasa
LW: Manor Solomon
ST: Joel Piroe
That would represent seven changes from the team which started the 6-0 victory over Wrexham.
It also allows Bowen, Castellanos, Arne Engels, Konstantinos Mavropanos and others to be protected before the trip to Millwall without stripping West Ham of all their senior quality.
Fulham will provide a much sterner test than a heavily rotated Championship opponent.
Nuno therefore has to find the balance between protecting his promotion push and fielding a side capable of reaching the fourth round.
