Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham United face Southampton now under the management of Ivan Jurić at St Mary’s. Kick off is at 15:00 on Boxing Day. Last Word on Football brings you a West Ham Predicted Lineup.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Southampton
How West Ham Have Lined up Recently
As the first-choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was sidelined with injury, Polish international Lukasz Fabianski has started the last eight matches for Lopetegui’s side. The 39-year-old has produced some fabulous saves in their past few matches and has fans calling the Hammers management to offer him a contract extension.
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Lopetegui has altered with the defence a few times this season but has landed with a back four consisting of Emerson, Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. This has been his most successful back line as when Lopetegui’s side play a three at the back, they often get heavily exposed.
This was the case in their defeats to Chelsea and Nottingham Forest. That being said, after a major falling out between the manager and Todibo, he has been benched for the past two games making room for Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The midfield has also been consistent, with Lopetegui preferring two defensive midfielders. This has usually been between Tomas Soucek with Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez rotating between themselves.
Carlos Soler will be available after serving his one-match suspension. He replaced Crysencio Summerville who was benched for this match despite positive recent performances. Lucas Paqueta on the other hand will not be available, having to serve his one match suspension.
In their latest matches against Wolves and Bournemouth, Jarrow Bowen started up-front, replacing the injured Michail Antonio. This was altered against Brighton, where Niklas Fullkrug started up front with Bowen taking his position back from Crysencio Summerville.
West Ham Recent Form
West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League just two points below Manchester United and three points below 11th place Tottenham. That being said, Lopetegui’s side are unbeaten in their last three matches, with their last defeat coming away to a struggling Leicester City side.
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In their last match, the Hammers came from behind to draw with Brighton. The Seagulls took the lead through Mats Weiffer who scored his first goal for the club since moving from Feyenoord. Albeit, Kudus replied just seven minutes later. Lopetegui is still under much pressure to retain his job at West Ham, with the side not reaching expectations. He will be under much scrutiny if his side fails to beat bottom-of-the-league Southampton on Boxing Day.
West Ham Injuries to consider
Lopetegui has two absences to consider. Paqueta is suspended due to picking up five yellow cards before the halfway point in the season. He will be available for their next match at home to Liverpool. Soler is back from suspension.
The only injury Lopetegui has to consider is that of Antonio, who will be out for the remainder of the season due to being involved in a car crash. There is no return date for him as of yet.
West Ham Predicted Lineup vs Southampton
GK – Fabianski
LB – Coufal
CB – Kilman
CB – Mavropanos
RB – Wan-Bissaka
CM – Soucek
CM – Alvarez
LW – Kudus
CM – Soler
RW – Bowen
ST – Fullkrug