Our West Ham Women predicted XI against Southampton includes a return for Ebony Salmon as Rita Guarino balances Wednesday’s cup fixture with another demanding league assignment.
The Hammers host Southampton in the Subway Players Cup before facing Chelsea in the WSL on Sunday.
That schedule creates a reasonable case for rotation, particularly after Guarino gave several squad players starts in the previous cup match against Tottenham.
This is our predicted selection, not a confirmed team.
West Ham Women predicted XI against Southampton
Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1.
Picaud-Inconnu; Endo, Nyström, Codina, Tennebø; Kumagai, Siren; Wandeler, Piubel, Asseyi; Salmon.
The proposed side combines players who featured in the Tottenham cup tie with a recall for Laia Codina in central defence.
Supporters can find the Southampton kick-off time and ticket information in our existing match guide.
Salmon and Wandeler could return
Guarino’s selection for the Tottenham cup game included starts for Salmon and Leila Wandeler, providing a recent indication of how she might distribute opportunities in this competition.
We would bring both back into the starting side.
Salmon gets our nod through the middle, with Wandeler on the right and Viviane Asseyi on the left. Seraina Piubel would operate behind the striker.
Those positions are our projected arrangement. Guarino could organise the same players differently or retain Kelly Gago in attack.
The priority should be giving the forward line enough support to create chances, rather than simply changing personnel.
Riko Ueki remains unavailable
One attacking decision is already clear.
West Ham confirmed on Monday that Riko Ueki has a calf injury, sustained against Everton, and will miss Japan’s forthcoming international camp.
Guarino had already said the forward would be unavailable for several weeks. Ueki will continue her rehabilitation at Chadwell Heath.
That leaves the head coach managing her available forwards across two fixtures in five days. Our selection would allow Gago to begin on the bench while giving Salmon another starting opportunity.
Codina recall would allow defensive rotation
We would pair Codina with Eva Nyström, with Yu Endo and Ylinn Tennebø returning at full-back.
That would allow Estelle Cascarino, Nadine Riesen and Inès Belloumou to start outside the XI, subject to Guarino’s assessment of their recovery and readiness.
In midfield, retaining Saki Kumagai and Oona Siren would provide continuity while giving Katie Zelem an opportunity to begin among the substitutes.
Constance Picaud-Inconnu remains our choice in goal. She started the previous cup fixture, so there is no established basis for assuming Guarino will automatically change goalkeepers.
The selection balances fresh starters with a familiar midfield and goalkeeper. Guarino’s final decision will depend on fitness checks and how much continuity she wants before Chelsea visit.
