Rita Guarino faces an intriguing selection decision when West Ham United Women host Everton on Sunday afternoon.
The Hammers head into the 2pm Women’s Super League fixture looking to build on last weekend’s impressive 2-1 victory over London City Lionesses.
Kelly Gago and Viviane Asseyi scored at Victoria Road as Guarino’s heavily rebuilt squad collected its first league victory of the season.
West Ham now have another opportunity to build momentum at home.
The biggest selection question surrounds Laia Codina.
Guarino has confirmed the Spain international is available again, and the defender could return immediately against Everton.
Laia Codina could return for West Ham
Codina missed the London City victory but is ready to feature again.
Guarino confirmed in her latest West Ham Women team news that Codina is available, although Ffion Morgan remains sidelined.
The West Ham boss also stressed how important Codina’s leadership and experience are to the way she wants her team to play.
That makes a return to the starting XI a genuine possibility.
Our prediction is that Codina replaces Eva Nyström alongside Estelle Cascarino.
Nyström performed well against London City, so Guarino could easily decide not to change a winning defence.
However, Codina’s experience at Barcelona, Arsenal and international level makes her difficult to leave out when fully available.
West Ham supporters can follow Codina and the rest of Guarino’s rebuilt squad throughout the season through our West Ham Women guide.
Zelem and Kumagai should remain together
One area Guarino should avoid changing is central midfield.
Katie Zelem and Saki Kumagai produced an excellent performance together against London City.
Guarino has since praised their developing partnership, telling the official West Ham website that they have the chemistry to work together and “speak the same football language”.
Their influence was central to the tactical improvement from the opening defeat at Tottenham.
ReadWestHam looked at how Guarino’s midfield plan helped beat London City, with Zelem and Kumagai providing important protection against a dangerous attacking side.
Both should start again.
Kelly Gago deserves another West Ham start
Gago should also keep her place.
The France international marked her first West Ham start with the opening goal against London City and now faces her former club.
Guarino has already suggested the fixture could provide extra motivation for Gago against Everton.
Viviane Asseyi also scored last weekend, while Riko Ueki and Seraina Piubel helped West Ham threaten quickly in transition.
That should encourage Guarino to keep the same attacking unit.
Sky Sports confirms that Gago, Ueki, Asseyi and Piubel all started the 2-1 victory over London City.
There is competition from Ebony Salmon, but changing an attack which produced West Ham’s best performance of the season would be difficult to justify.
Predicted West Ham Women XI vs Everton
West Ham predicted XI: Picaud-Inconnu; Riesen, Codina, Cascarino, Belloumou; Zelem, Kumagai; Ueki, Piubel, Asseyi; Gago.
That would represent just one change from the team which beat London City.
Our full West Ham Women vs Everton match guide has the kick-off, venue and latest information ahead of the game.
Guarino found a combination which worked last weekend.
Codina’s return gives her another major option.
The challenge now is improving the team without disrupting what finally clicked.
