The games start coming thick and fast over the next couple of weeks – [West Ham’](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-without-kudus-and-paqueta-is-the-way-forward-heres-why/)s schedule is relatively sensible compared to previous years with four or more days’ recovery between most games. Tonight’s trip to the south coast is of course the latest in a series of crucial Lopetegui games as his future still lies in the balance: A loss today would put him back in the ‘at risk’ category.
Emerson is suspended and apart from Antonio, the Hammers have a ‘couple of doubts’ but at present Lopetegui isn’t telling. Therefore he has to choose whether to start Niclas Fullkrug or Jarrod Bowen as a striker- there really is no reason stopping Fullkrug from being more involved now, as he had a cameo substitute appearance two games ago. If he’s not even on the bench tonight then there really is something very wrong between him and the coach.
Will Cresswell start at the back or will Lopetegui use Wan-Bissaka and Coufal? Or indeed Mavropanos as a right back : He’s done that before (against Brentford).
This is the point of the week where we try and guess Lopetegui’s choices. This is not our preferred XI but an expectation of how J’Lo will call it.
**Fabianski | Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Wan Bissaka | Soler, Soucek, Alvarez | Kudus, Bowen ,Summerville**
Coufal on the right, Wan Bissaka on the left,
No starting place for Paquetá or Fullkrug.
_Predicted score:_
Martin 1-2 West Ham ( I’m a fantasist But I reckon Loppy’s turned the corner and JB’s on fire again)
Matt 3-0 Bournemouth
Gonzo 2-1 Bournemouth
Sean 0-1 West Ham
Last time v Wolves : Only Sean correctly predicted a Hammers’ win.